how to return json format from ODATA?

Question

I know ODATA can return json but not sure if I have to use an attribute or interface to do so.

I want it to do just like http://odata.netflix.com/Catalog/Titles?$format=JSON but my odata service doesn't return JSON. When I call it like www.foo.com/service?$format=json, it just returns XML.

What do I need to do to return json with ODATA?

Answer 1

Download and install Fiddler.

http://www.fiddler2.com/fiddler2/

Once installed, open it, click on the "Request Builder" tab located in the right side of Fiddler.

Insert this URL:

http://test.com/feed2/ODataService.svc/results

Note that you DO NOT NEED THE ?$format=JSON

In the "Request Headers" section, insert the following line:

accept: application/json 

Hit the Big "Execute" button at the top right of Fiddler.

You'll see the results of the request added to the list on the left side of Fiddler.

Double click on the request. The right side of Fiddler will change to the "Inspectors" tab where you can see the results of your request.

Also, since you are working with Json, you probably want to download and install the Json viewer plugin for Fiddler:

http://jsonviewer.codeplex.com/

Answer 2

Newer versions of WCF Data Services support JSON by default and you must have

Accept: application/json;odata=verbose 

in the request header.

Accept: application/json 

is no longer sufficient. More info here.