Sending an array of complex objects in the get string in C# ASP.NET MVC

Question

Hi,

I want to send an array of objects in the get request string. I know this isn't the optimal solution, but I really just want to get this up and running.

If I have a class, something like this

public class Data
{
   public int a { get; set; }
   public int b { get; set; }
}

public class RequestViewData
{
   public IList<Data> MyData { get; set; }
}

I thought I could bind the MVC route to a web request like this

http://localhost:8080/Request?MyData[0].a=1&MyData[0].b=2&MyData[1].a=3&MyData[1].b=4

But all this does is create an array of two data objects without populating the values 1,2, 3 or 4.

Is there a way to bind complex objects arrays?

Answer 1

I'd use BinaryFormatter to create a binary representation of my object, send it Base64 encoded via the querystring and reassemble it at the other end.

Answer 2

This blog is a little old, but it should show you how to do what you are asking:

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ASPNETWireFormatForModelBindingToArraysListsCollectionsDictionaries.aspx

Answer 3

Assuming that you have implemented a method GetArrayTest in your HomeController

public class HomeController
{
    public ActionResult GetArrayTest (List<Data> data)

}

The following would work.

http://localhost:8080/Home/GetArrayTest?Data[0].a=1&Data[0].b=1&Data[1].a=2&Data[1].b=2&Data[2].a=3&Data[2].b=3