The Correct Way to Store JSON in a Variable Using Zeebe and Java

Learn how to store JSON from DTO objects in Zeebe using Java effectively without character escaping issues. Discover the best practices with ObjectMapper.
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The Correct Way to Store JSON in a Variable Using Zeebe and Java

Are you working with Java or Kotlin and using Zeebe for workflow orchestration? If so, you might have faced a common issue: when you try to store your Data Transfer Object (DTO) as JSON, the result often contains unnecessary escaped characters. How do you effectively store your DTO objects as JSON without these character escaping issues? In this guide, we will explore that.

The Challenge: Storing DTO Objects as JSON

When working with JSON in Java or Kotlin, especially in the context of Zeebe, you want to ensure that your data structures are accurately represented in JSON format. Typically, you would use an ObjectMapper from the Jackson library to convert your DTO into a JSON string. Here’s what happened when I attempted this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

To my surprise, the output looked something like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

As you can see, the JSON string includes escape characters ("), which is not the format we desire. We are looking for a clean JSON output that can be used in our workflows without any distractions.

The Solution: Using ObjectNode

After some research and experimentation, I discovered the most effective way to store JSON from a DTO object in Zeebe without facing the character escaping problem. Here’s the correct approach:

Step-by-Step Guide

Use ObjectMapper's convertValue Method: Instead of using writeValueAsString, you can effectively convert your DTO into an ObjectNode:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This method will generate a structured JSON object without the escaping issues.

Work with Arrays: If you need to store an array of objects, you should utilize the ArrayNode class. This will help you organize your JSON data correctly.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Use Your JSON in Zeebe: After obtaining the cleaned JSON representation, you can easily integrate it into your Zeebe workflows and decisions.

Final Thoughts

By implementing this practice in your projects, you can avoid unnecessary confusion and ensure that your data handling is smooth and effective. Don't hesitate to explore and implement these suggestions in your Java and Kotlin Zeebe applications for improved results!

Happy coding!