DumpJson - write your objects to console/debug output via JSON instantly

DumpJson is a lightweight .NET library allows to call .Dump() on any object to instantly serialize and output it to your console or debug window with formatted JSON.

Features

• Dead Simple - Just add .Dump() to any object
• JSON Output - Automatic JSON serialization with indentation
• Smart Routing - Outputs to Console and/or Debug window automatically
• Optional Labels - Add a label to your output for context
• Configurable - Customize JSON serialization options
• Lightweight - ~60 lines of code (currently), System.Text.Json is the only dependency
• .NET Standard 2.0 - Works everywhere (.NET Framework, .NET Core, .NET 5+)

Installation

dotnet add package DumpJson

Or via Package Manager Console:

Install-Package DumpJson

Quick Start

using DumpJson; var person = new Person { Name = "John Doe", Age = 30, Email = "john@example.com" }; // View the output in your console or debug window via .Dump() person.Dump(); // Apply a label if needed person.Dump("Person response");

Standard Output Example:

{ "Name": "John Doe", "Age": 30, "Email": "john@example.com" }

Labeled Output Example:

Person response { "Name": "John Doe", "Age": 30, "Email": "john@example.com" }

Use Cases

Quick Debugging

// Inspect API responses var response = await httpClient.GetFromJsonAsync<User>(url); response.Dump("API Response");

Chain Inspection

// See data at each transformation step var result = data .Where(x => x.IsActive) .Dump("After Filter") .Select(x => new { x.Id, x.Name }) .Dump("After Projection") .ToList();

Unit Test Diagnostics

[Fact] public void TestComplexObject() { var result = CalculateComplexResult(); result.Dump("Test Result"); // See exactly what you got Assert.Equal(expected, result); }

Configuration

Control where the output is sent or customize JSON serialization and output behavior to your needs:

using System.Text.Json; using DumpJson; // Force console output on/off (null = auto-detect) DumpJson.Settings.WriteToConsoleOutput = true; // Always write to console DumpJson.Settings.WriteToConsoleOutput = false; // Never write to console DumpJson.Settings.WriteToConsoleOutput = null; // Auto-detect (default) // Force debug output on/off (null = auto-detect) DumpJson.Settings.WriteToDebugOutput = true; // Always write to debug output DumpJson.Settings.WriteToDebugOutput = false; // Never write to debug output DumpJson.Settings.WriteToDebugOutput = null; // Auto-detect (default) // Configure global JSON serialization settings (defaults to indented formatting) DumpJson.Settings.JsonSerializerOptions = new JsonSerializerOptions { PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase, DefaultIgnoreCondition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull }; // Now all .Dump() calls use your custom settings myObject.Dump();

How It Works

DumpJson automatically detects your runtime environment and outputs accordingly:

• Console Available? → Outputs to Console.WriteLine()
• Debugger Attached? → Outputs to Debug.WriteLine()
• Both Available? → Outputs to both!
• Neither Available? → Silently does nothing (no exceptions)

You can override this auto-detection behavior using DumpJson.Settings.WriteToConsoleOutput and DumpJson.Settings.WriteToDebugOutput to force output on or off regardless of the environment.

Feedback

Found a bug or have a feature request? Open an issue!