.net - How do I use JSON.NET to deserialize into nested/recursive Dictionary and List? -

i need deserialize complex json blob standard .net containers use in code not aware of json. expects things in standard .net types, dictionary[string, object] or list[object] "object" can primitive or recurse (dictionary or list).

i cannot use static type map results , jobject/jtoken don't fit. ideally, there way (via contracts perhaps?) convert raw json basic .net containers.

i've search on way coax json.net deserializer creating these simple types when encounters "{}" or "[]" little success.

any appreciated!

if want generic method can handle arbitrary json , convert nested structure of regular .net types (primitives, lists , dictionaries), can use json.net's linq-to-json api it:

using system.linq; using newtonsoft.json.linq;  public static class jsonhelper {     public static object deserialize(string json)     {         return toobject(jtoken.parse(json));     }      private static object toobject(jtoken token)     {         switch (token.type)         {             case jtokentype.object:                 return token.children<jproperty>()                             .todictionary(prop => prop.name,                                           prop => toobject(prop.value));              case jtokentype.array:                 return token.select(toobject).tolist();              default:                 return ((jvalue)token).value;         }     } } 

you can call method shown below. obj either contain dictionary<string, object>, list<object>, or primitive depending on json started with.

object obj = jsonhelper.deserialize(jsonstring);