How to deserialize class without calling a constructor?

Question

I'm using Json.NET in my WCF data service.

Here's my class (simplified):

[DataContract]
public class Component
{
    public Component()
    {
        // I'm doing some magic here.
    }
}

How can I deserialize that class without invoking a constructor using JsonConvert.DeserializeObject?

Sorry if not clear, feel free to ask questions.

Answer 1

1. You could create a class that inherits from CustomCreationConverter and use FormatterServices.GetSafeUninitializedObject to create your object. It skips calling the constructor.

   More about CustomCreationConverter here.

2. Placing [JsonObject(MemberSerialization.Fields)] on a class will make Json.NET use FormatterServices.GetSafeUninitializedObject by default (although Fields mode will also serialize public/private fields rather than public properties which you may not want).

3. Move the logic you don't want run outside of the default constructor.