Android Tutorial Android JSON tutorial

JSON format is a a format similar to XML but usually it is shorter and easier to parse.
Many web services now work with JSON. JSON official site: JSON

Using the new JSON library, you can parse and generate JSON strings easily.

As an example we will parse a the following JSON string:

{"menu": {
  "id": "file",
  "value": "File",
  "popup": {
    "menuitem": [
      {"value": "New", "onclick": "CreateNewDoc()"},
      {"value": "Open", "onclick": "OpenDoc()"},
      {"value": "Close", "onclick": "CloseDoc()"}
    ]
  }
}}

This example was taken from json.org/examples.
Curl brackets represent an object and square brackets represent an array.
Objects hold key/value pairs and arrays hold list of elements. Commas separate between elements.

In this example, the top level value is an object. This object contains a single object with the key "menu".
The value of this object is another object that holds several elements.
We will get the "menuitem" element, which holds an array of objects, and print the values of the "value" element.

After parsing the string, JSON objects are converted to Maps and JSON arrays are converted to Lists.
We will read this string from a file added by the files manager (Files tab).

    Dim JSON As JSONParser
    Dim Map1 As Map
    JSON.Initialize(File.ReadString(File.DirAssets, "example.json"))
    Map1 = JSON.NextObject
    Dim m As Map 'helper map for navigating
    Dim MenuItems As List
    m = Map1.Get("menu")
    m = m.Get("popup")
    MenuItems = m.Get("menuitem")
    For i = 0 To MenuItems.Size - 1
        m = MenuItems.Get(i)
        Log(m.Get("value"))
    Next

JSON.NextObject parses the string and returns a Map with the parsed data. This method should be called when the top level value is an object (which is usually the case).
Now we will work with Map1 to get the required values.
We declare an additional Map with the name 'm'.

m = Map1.Get("menu")

The object that maps to "menu" is assigned to m.

m = m.Get("popup")

The object that maps to "popup" is now assigned to m.

MenuItems = m.Get("menuitem")

The array assigned to "menuitem" is assigned to the MenuItems list.
We will iterate over the items (which are maps in this case) and print the values stored in the elements with "value" key.

    For i = 0 To MenuItems.Size - 1
        m = MenuItems.Get(i)
        Log(m.Get("value"))
    Next

The output in the LogCat is:
New
Open
Close

Generating JSON strings is done in a similar way. We create a Map or a List that holds the values and then using JSONGenerator we convert it to a JSON string:

    Dim Data As List
    Data.Initialize
    Data.Add(1)
    Data.Add(2)
    Data.Add(3)
    Data.Add(Map1) 'add the previous map loaded from the file.
    Dim JSONGenerator As JSONGenerator
    JSONGenerator.Initialize2(Data)
    Msgbox(JSONGenerator.ToPrettyString(2), "")

JSONGenerator can be initialized with a map or a list.
Converting the data to a JSON string is done by calling ToString or ToPrettyString. ToPrettyString adds indentation and is easier to read and debug.

A tool to help you with working with JSON strings: https://b4x.com:51041/json/index.html

 

[Erel]

See this example: Connect Android to MySQL Database Tutorial

 

[faisal]

See this example: Connect Android to MySQL Database Tutorial

thanks
it's work

 

[fbritop]

Erel,
I have a server returning an encoded JSON reply, which the date is encoded also.

How I can decoded to dateTime type in B4A?

JSON source is
http://webservices.reservame.net/mo...3p2suc53yb0p5lpmuw8lm&fechaReserva=08-03-2014

 

[Erel]

Erel,

This is a community forum. You should not limit the question to a single member.

You will need to parse the date string.
The ticks number can be converted to date with DateTime.Date.

 

[ivanomonti]

Json record

[{"a01":"Via dell'Industria  Solaro  MI,  Italia","a02":"Desidero fiore","a03":"user-male.png","a04":"45.622287822509854","a05":"9.107269731567708","a06":"1.4071125984191895","a07":"06-05-2014","a08":"15:52:50","a09":"test","r1":"0"},{"a01":"Via dell'Industria  Solaro  MI,  Italia","a02":"Desidero auto","a03":"user-female.png","a04":"45.62198194001763","a05":"9.107868433652834","a06":"0.9736074805259705","a07":"06-05-2014","a08":"21:59:13","a09":"test","r1":"0"}]

Code

Sub hc_ResponseSuccess (Response As HttpResponse, TaskId As Int)
    Dim s As String
    s = Response.GetString("UTF8")
  
    Log(s)
  
    Dim JSON As JSONParser
    JSON.Initialize(s)
  
    Try
        Dim Map1 As Map
        Map1 = JSON.NextObject ' error line
        ListView1.AddSingleLine(Map1.Get("display_name"))
    Catch
        Msgbox("Error",Response.GetString("UTF8"))
    End Try
    Response.Release
End Sub

Error parse

Error occurred on line: 92 (main)

java.lang.RuntimeException: JSON Object expected.

at anywheresoftware.b4a.objects.collections.JSONParser.NextObject(JSONParser.java:47)

at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)

at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:525)

at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.runMethod(Shell.java:485)

at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.raiseEventImpl(Shell.java:229)

at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.raiseEvent(Shell.java:174)

at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)

at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:525)

at anywheresoftware.b4a.ShellBA.raiseEvent2(ShellBA.java:93)

at anywheresoftware.b4a.BA$3.run(BA.java:318)

at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:730)

at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:92)

at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:137)

at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:5493)

at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)

at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:525)

at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:1209)

at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:1025)

at dalvik.system.NativeStart.main(Native Method)

!!! :-(

 

[DonManfred]

Dim parser As JSONParser
parser.Initialize(s)
Dim root As List = parser.NextArray
For Each colroot As Map In root
   Dim a01 As String = colroot.Get("a01")
   Dim a02 As String = colroot.Get("a02")
   Dim a03 As String = colroot.Get("a03")
   Dim a04 As String = colroot.Get("a04")
   Dim a05 As String = colroot.Get("a05")
   Dim a06 As String = colroot.Get("a06")
   Dim a07 As String = colroot.Get("a07")
   Dim a08 As String = colroot.Get("a08")
   Dim a09 As String = colroot.Get("a09")
   Dim r1 As String = colroot.Get("r1")
Next

BTW: There is no "display_name" in the json

PS: You can use this to get correct code for json-parse

 

[ivanomonti]

Thank 10000000000

 

[little3399]

Hi ,Erel

I found a bug in Json lib , when there are member of json object it's value was null will be

cause a error "....
Error occurred on line: 238 (main)
org.json.JSONException: Expected literal value at character 109 of {ShopName=广州市越秀区中山五路219号(近人民公园南广场)动漫星城, Status=0, VisitDate=2013-5-31, RpjName=演示项目13M5, Vid=215900, Address=} " ... in this example the value of the "Address" is null

Is this a bug of JSON LIB ? tks!

 

[DonManfred]

It would be easier to help if you post the complete jsonstring... Maybe address is not enclosed in quotemarks in json?

 

[little3399]

Not sure ,here is our original json data in attachment file (1.zip)

 

[Erel]

It works fine here:

Sub Activity_Create(FirstTime As Boolean)
   Dim jp As JSONParser
   jp.Initialize(File.ReadString(File.DirAssets, "1.json"))
   Log(jp.NextArray)
End Sub

 

[little3399]

Oh,Erel,I put a wrong 1.json file , and you can try this , such as let Address="" or Address=" ", and usd jp.nextobject .... , I had update the 1.zip file

Tks!

Dim JSON As JSONParser
Dim Map1 As Map

JSON.Initialize(File.ReadString(File.DirAssets, "1.json"))
Log("JSON="&JSON)
Dim List1 As List
List1.Initialize
List1=JSON.NextArray
Log(List1)
Map1.Initialize
For i=0 To List1.Size-1
Log(List1.Get(i))
JSON.Initialize(List1.Get(i))
Map1=JSON.NextObject
Log(Map1.Get("Vid"))
Log(Map1.Get("ShopName"))
Log(Map1.Get("RpjName"))
Log(Map1.Get("VisitDate"))
Log(Map1.Get("Address"))
Log(Map1.Get("Status"))

Next

 

[Erel]

Your code is wrong. You should call JSON.NextArray once and then work with the list. Use this tool: http://basic4ppc.com:51042/json/index.html

 

[little3399]

Hi, Erel
Your mean the Json method such as json.NextArray, NextObject ... only be call once ,if they call again will be cause some error ?

 

[Erel]

You should call either NextArray or NextObject once. The complete string will be parsed and returned as a List or Map. Use the online tool. It is quite simple.

 

[ivanomonti]

error parse nextArray

Error occurred on line: 134 (main)
java.lang.RuntimeException: JSON Array expected.
   at anywheresoftware.b4a.objects.collections.JSONParser.NextArray(JSONParser.java:62)
   at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
   at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:515)
   at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.runMethod(Shell.java:636)
   at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.raiseEventImpl(Shell.java:302)
   at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.raiseEvent(Shell.java:238)
   at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
   at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:515)
   at anywheresoftware.b4a.ShellBA.raiseEvent2(ShellBA.java:121)
   at anywheresoftware.b4a.BA$3.run(BA.java:319)
   at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:733)
   at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:95)
   at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:136)
   at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:5103)
   at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
   at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:515)
   at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:790)
   at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:606)
   at dalvik.system.NativeStart.main(Native Method)

Sub hc_ResponseSuccess (Response As HttpResponse, TaskId As Int)
   Try
     If Response <> Null Then
       Dim s As String
       s = Response.GetString("UTF8")
   
       Dim parser As JSONParser
       parser.Initialize(s)
       Dim root As List
       root.Initialize
       root = parser.NextArray  ' < line error >

       For Each colroot As Map In root
        Module_setting.address = colroot.Get("prv")
       Next
       
       Response.Release
     End If
   Catch
     End Try
End Sub

JSon result

{
  "results" : [
  {
  "address_components" : [
  {
  "long_name" : "Strada Provinciale 25",
  "short_name" : "SP25",
  "types" : [ "route" ]
  },
  {
  "long_name" : "Boffalora d'Adda",
  "short_name" : "Boffalora d'Adda",
  "types" : [ "administrative_area_level_3", "political" ]
  },
  {
  "long_name" : "Lodi",
  "short_name" : "LO",
  "types" : [ "administrative_area_level_2", "political" ]
  },
  {
  "long_name" : "Lombardy",
  "short_name" : "Lombardy",
  ......

 

[little3399]

Your must using JSON.NextObject to handel your json data, and not Json.nextarrary ...

 

[ivanomonti]

Private Sub jsonParseCategory(s As String)
   Try
     Log(s)
       Dim JSON As JSONParser
     JSON.Initialize(s)
     ListCategory = JSON.NextArray
     ToastMessageShow("Updated category list", True)
   Catch
     ToastMessageShow("Error parse json data", True)
     End Try
End Sub

start,-a,android.intent.action.MAIN,-n,b4a.example/.main,-f,0x20000000
(Intent) Intent { act=android.intent.action.MAIN flg=0x20000000 cmp=b4a.example/.main }
no extras
** Activity (main) Create, isFirst = true **
** Activity (main) Resume **
** Activity (main) Pause, UserClosed = false **
** Activity (main) Resume **
Query: category[{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Dog Sitter"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Cat Sitter"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Veterinary"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Other"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Painter"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Mason"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Elettrical"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Hydraulic"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Garden"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Other"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Garegivers"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Nurse"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"General practitioner"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Dentist"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Gynecologist"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Physiotherapist"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Mediator"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Criminal Lawyer"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Civil lawyer"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Noary"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Accountant"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Business Consultant"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Hairdresser"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Beautician"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Personal Trainer"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Masseur"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"masseuse"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"All"}]
Error occurred on line: 80 (main)
java.lang.RuntimeException: JSON Array expected.
    at anywheresoftware.b4a.objects.collections.JSONParser.NextArray(JSONParser.java:62)
    at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
    at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:515)
    at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.runMethod(Shell.java:636)
    at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.raiseEventImpl(Shell.java:302)
    at anywheresoftware.b4a.shell.Shell.raiseEvent(Shell.java:238)
    at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
    at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:515)
    at anywheresoftware.b4a.ShellBA.raiseEvent2(ShellBA.java:121)
    at anywheresoftware.b4a.BA$3.run(BA.java:319)
    at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:733)
    at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:95)
    at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:136)
    at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:5103)
    at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
    at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:515)
    at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:790)
    at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:606)
    at dalvik.system.NativeStart.main(Native Method)
** Activity (main) Pause, UserClosed = false **

 

[ivanomonti]

solved my problem, I have to be more careful :-(

problem {Query:}

Query: category[{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Dog Sitter"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Cat Sitter"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Veterinary"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"Other"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Painter"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Mason"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Elettrical"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Hydraulic"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Garden"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"Other"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Garegivers"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Nurse"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"General practitioner"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Dentist"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Gynecologist"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"Physiotherapist"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Mediator"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Criminal Lawyer"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Civil lawyer"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Noary"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Accountant"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"Business Consultant"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Hairdresser"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Beautician"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Personal Trainer"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"Masseur"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"masseuse"},{"Category":"Animal","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Work","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Assistance","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Advice","SubCategory":"All"},{"Category":"Personal Care","SubCategory":"All"}]

 

[bluedude]

How can we create something like below in code:

"checked": {
"computed": {
"address": [
"Line1",
"Line2",
"Line3"
],
"test": 1.4
},
},

Need to be able to create object arrays without keys etc.