Convert a Map<Object, Object> to a Json String

Question

Let's say I have a class like this:

public class Person {
    private String firstName;
    private String lastName;
    ...
}

Then I create a map like this:

Map<Person, String> map = new HashMap<Person, String>();
map.put(new Person("Bob", "Builder"), "string1");
map.put(new Person("Bob", "NotBuilding"), "string2");

What should a valid json representation of the above look like? if it is indeed possible?

Answer 1

You should have a serialization/deserialization mechanism for class Person first. For example each Person may have a unique id, which can be used as the map key. Java uses its hashCode() for serializing Person object to a key.

Answer 2

{ "Persons" : { "string1" : { "class" : "Person", "firstName" : "Bob", "lastName" : "Builder" }, "string2" : { "class" : "Person", "firstName" : "Bob", "lastName" : "NotBuilding" } } }

This is only from a JSON stand point and assuming you name your map "Persons". You need to find a way to serialize and de-serialize but I guess you can find one in java.