How to convert arbitrary JSON into a usable structure in Java

Question

I\'m trying to use gson to convert this returned JSON into some kind of data structure such that I can extract useful data.

For Example:

http://search.twitte

Answer 1

Gson actually does all the serialization for you. So yes, you would have to write the classes yourself. To you, this seams inflexible and laborious, but that's only because that library isn't made for what you're asking for (it doesn't parse 'arbitrary' JSON).

I would suggest at least considering writing the classes and using gson. The reason I say that is because either way your application's logic will have to expect a very specific format, and writing out that format in a Java class will make things tidier. Here's a nice guide that will help you get started that way.

If you want to simply decode the JSON without serializing it into a Java class (IMHO the only way to use 'arbitrary' JSON), you'll want to use another library. Try this one. It allows you to decode the JSON, and use it by getting values from it (as described in this question: Convert a JSON string to object in Java ME?).