Is there another way / proper way of parsing this JSON array ?

Question

I have a JSON object which holds some json_array like this: (with org.codehaus.jettison.json.*)

json array:[{"C1":["S1","S2"]},{"C2":["S1","S2"]},{"C3":["S1","S2"]},{"C4":["S1","S2"]}]

I have to get two list,one for keys,another for the elements of each key.I have done like this:

//sample: clusterIdList:[C1, C2, C3, C4] and serviceIdList:[S1, S2, S1, S2, S1, S2, S1, S2]
 //get jsonarray by key = serviceCode
 JSONArray array = incident.getJSONArray("serviceCode");
 List<String> clusterIdList = new ArrayList<String>();
 List<String> serviceIdList = new ArrayList<String>();
 String key="";
 for (int i = 0,length=array.length(); i < length; i++) {
 JSONObject b = array.getJSONObject(i);
 key = b.names().getString(0);
 clusterIdList.add(key);
 JSONArray sublist = b.getJSONArray(key);
 for (int j = 0,sublistLength = sublist.length(); j < sublistLength; j++) {
 serviceIdList.add(sublist.getString(j));
 }
 }

Is this a proper way to do this? or can it be improved? I am trying to improve my code quality and readability.

• RoToRa: Looks fine to me. The only thing I'd suggest is to move the declaration of the variable key into the loop: String key = b.names().getString(0);

Answer 1

This can be argued, but I think you can write directly i < array.length(); without noticeable slowdown (if length() does the right thing and is just a getter of a field). Makes the loop slightly more readable, IMHO. Or at least add spaces: int i = 0, length = array.length();

I had a glance at the Jettison site, and couldn't find a JavaDoc page. But if JSONArray implements the Iterable interface, you can use the foreach syntax, even more readable.

I agree with the comment of RoToRa, too.

Otherwise, code looks OK.