How to de-serialize a Raw Array of Arrays from REST Response Using SpringBoot RestTemplate

Learn how to successfully handle the `deserialization` of a raw array response in SpringBoot RestTemplate, ensuring accurate data retrieval from REST APIs.
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How to De-serialize a Raw Array of Arrays from REST Response Using SpringBoot RestTemplate

When working with REST APIs in Java, particularly with SpringBoot's RestTemplate, developers often encounter various data formats in the responses. One common challenge is dealing with deserializing a raw array of arrays, as sometimes API responses may not align with our Java object models. In this guide, we'll explore how to effectively handle such a response format.

The Problem

Suppose you're consuming a REST API that returns JSON data structured as a raw array of arrays, like so:

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

In this case, each nested array contains a key-value pair where the first element is a string and the second is a float. You want to deserialize this response to a Java object with a correct structure. However, you may run into issues with deserialization, which often manifests in the form of exceptions—particularly if the object structure doesn't match the expected format.

The Current Structure

You might have a Java class structure like the following:

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

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

This signifies that Jackson is struggling to map the raw JSON structure to your Java class.

The Solution

To resolve this deserialization issue, follow these steps:

1. Adjust Class Mapping

2. Modify KeyValuePair Class

You need to instruct Jackson on how to interpret the structure of KeyValuePair. Adding the @JsonFormat annotation will help here:

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

This annotation tells Jackson that the KeyValuePair class should be treated as an array during deserialization.

3. Update Your API Call

Now, you can adjust your API call to fetch the data:

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

Conclusion

By directly mapping to the KeyValuePair class and utilizing the correct annotations, you can successfully deserialize the raw array of arrays returned by the REST API. This approach simplifies your handling of the response and allows you to focus on using the data effectively within your application.

Using SpringBoot’s RestTemplate in conjunction with Jackson's powerful data-binding capabilities makes it relatively easy to address such issues with proper structuring and management of your data types.

Happy coding!