SelectToken() provides a method to query LINQ to JSON using a single string path to a desired JToken. SelectToken makes dynamic queries easy because the entire query is defined in a string.
SelectToken
SelectToken is a method on JToken and takes a string path to a child token. SelectToken returns the child token or a null reference if a token couldn't be found at the path's location.
The path is made up of property names and array indexes separated by periods, e.g. Manufacturers[0].Name.
SelectToken Example
JObject o = JObject.Parse(@"{
'Stores': [
'Lambton Quay',
'Willis Street'
],
'Manufacturers': [
{
'Name': 'Acme Co',
'Products': [
{
'Name': 'Anvil',
'Price': 50
}
]
},
{
'Name': 'Contoso',
'Products': [
{
'Name': 'Elbow Grease',
'Price': 99.95
},
{
'Name': 'Headlight Fluid',
'Price': 4
}
]
}
]
}");
string name = (string)o.SelectToken("Manufacturers[0].Name");
// Acme Co
decimal productPrice = (decimal)o.SelectToken("Manufacturers[0].Products[0].Price");
// 50
string productName = (string)o.SelectToken("Manufacturers[1].Products[0].Name");
// Elbow Grease
SelectToken with JSONPath
SelectToken supports JSONPath queries. Find out more about JSONPath here.
SelectToken With JSONPath
JObject o = JObject.Parse(@"{
'Stores': [
'Lambton Quay',
'Willis Street'
],
'Manufacturers': [
{
'Name': 'Acme Co',
'Products': [
{
'Name': 'Anvil',
'Price': 50
}
]
},
{
'Name': 'Contoso',
'Products': [
{
'Name': 'Elbow Grease',
'Price': 99.95
},
{
'Name': 'Headlight Fluid',
'Price': 4
}
]
}
]
}");
// manufacturer with the name 'Acme Co'
JToken acme = o.SelectToken("$.Manufacturers[?(@.Name == 'Acme Co')]");
Console.WriteLine(acme);
// { "Name": "Acme Co", Products: [{ "Name": "Anvil", "Price": 50 }] }
// name of all products priced 50 and above
IEnumerable<JToken> pricyProducts = o.SelectTokens("$..Products[?(@.Price >= 50)].Name");
foreach (JToken item in pricyProducts)
{
Console.WriteLine(item);
}
// Anvil
// Elbow Grease
SelectToken with LINQ
SelectToken can be used in combination with standard LINQ methods.
SelectToken With LINQ Example
IList<string> storeNames = o.SelectToken("Stores").Select(s => (string)s).ToList();
// Lambton Quay
// Willis Street
IList<string> firstProductNames = o["Manufacturers"].Select(m => (string)m.SelectToken("Products[1].Name")).ToList();
// null
// Headlight Fluid
decimal totalPrice = o["Manufacturers"].Sum(m => (decimal)m.SelectToken("Products[0].Price"));
// 149.95
See Also