How can I get a JSON response instead of XML?

Question

I just create a new WebApi project and keep the default controller :

public class ValuesController : ApiController
{ 
    // GET api/values/5
    public string Get(int id)
    {
        return "value";
    }

    //other services...
}

When I try to request it, I can't get a valid JSON result.

• No specific header => application/xml result
• Header with content-type assigned to application/json => application/xml result
• Header with accept assigned to application/json gives me a correct response content-type but a malformed JSON : "value".

What is the way to get a valid JSON result ?

Answer 1

You will have to use JsonResult as your return type:

public class ValuesController : ApiController
{ 
    // GET api/values/5
    public JsonResult Get(int id)
    {
        object returnObject;

        // do here what you need to get the good object inside returnObject

        return this.Json(returnObject, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
    }

    // other services...
}