Deserializing JSON in Visual basic - vb.net

Question

I want to deserialize this string, it is from a rest api, but i dont know how to do it.
i know i have to create a class with the struture of the string, and i have to run the command with deserialize.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks
"
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"categories": {
"17": [
{
"category_id": "17",
"name": "Software",
"description": "",
"sort_order": "4",
"meta_title": "",
"meta_description": "",
"meta_keyword": "",
"language_id": "1",
"image": "http://newapi3.opencart-api.com/image/cache/catalog/categories/12316636179756542373092288841575795860377n-100x100.jpg",
"categories": null
},
{
"category_id": "17",
"name": "Software",
"description": "",
"sort_order": "4",
"meta_title": "",
"meta_description": "",
"meta_keyword": "",
"language_id": "2",
"image": "http://newapi3.opencart-api.com/image/cache/catalog/categories/12316636179756542373092288841575795860377n-100x100.jpg",
"categories": null
}
],
"18": [
{
"category_id": "18",
"name": "Laptops & Notebooks",
"description": "<p>\r\n\tShop Laptop feature only the best laptop deals on the market. By comparing laptop deals from the likes of PC World, Comet, Dixons, The Link and Carphone Warehouse, Shop Laptop has the most comprehensive selection of laptops on the internet. At Shop Laptop, we pride ourselves on offering customers the very best laptop deals. From refurbished laptops to netbooks, Shop Laptop ensures that every laptop - in every colour, style, size and technical spec - is featured on the site at the lowest possible price.</p>\r\n",
"sort_order": "2",
"meta_title": "",
"meta_description": "",
"meta_keyword": "",
"language_id": "1",
"image": "http://newapi3.opencart-api.com/image/cache/catalog/demo/hp_2-100x100.jpg",
"categories": null
},
{
"category_id": "18",
"name": "Laptops & Notebooks",
"description": "<p>\r\n\tShop Laptop feature only the best laptop deals on the market. By comparing laptop deals from the likes of PC World, Comet, Dixons, The Link and Carphone Warehouse, Shop Laptop has the most comprehensive selection of laptops on the internet. At Shop Laptop, we pride ourselves on offering customers the very best laptop deals. From refurbished laptops to netbooks, Shop Laptop ensures that every laptop - in every colour, style, size and technical spec - is featured on the site at the lowest possible price.</p>\r\n",
"sort_order": "2",
"meta_title": "",
"meta_description": "",
"meta_keyword": "",
"language_id": "2",
"image": "http://newapi3.opencart-api.com/image/cache/catalog/demo/hp_2-100x100.jpg",
"categories": null
}
]
}
}
}"

Answer 1

Use this service to generate classes from JSON strings. It will save you a lot of time (and headache).
After that, you might consider using a third-party library for deserializing the JSON string. You have quite a few options but the most popular and the best according to me, is JSON.NET.
After you have installed it, you can go forward and access whatever data you want after deserializing the JSON.
Example:
Dim data = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(Of YourDataClass)("<YourJSONString>");
If data.Success Then
Console.WriteLine(data.Data.Categories(0).Name);
End If