Deserializing arbitrary YAML without creating types?

[fj]

Is there a way to use YamlDotNet to deserialize YAML to raw strings, lists, or dictionaries when the structure of the YAML isn't known in advance and can be arbitrary? For example, is ExpandoObject a possibility?

[aaubry]

Sure, either deserialize to Object, or use YamlStream to load the document(s).

Deserializing as object:

var deserializer = new DeserializerBuilder().Build();
var result = deserializer.Deserialize<object>(yaml);

Using YamlStream:

var stream = new YamlStream();
stream.Load(new StringReader(yaml));
// Read stream.Documents

[aaubry]

Id you deserialize to object, the following default types will be used:

Node Type	CLR type
scalar	String
sequence	List<Object>
mapping	Dictionary<Object, Object>

[fj]

Thanks! In this case the Dictionary's values would always be one of String, List, or another Dictionary, right?

Does YamlDotNet provide any jq-DSL-like facility for fetching specific paths in the YAML, e.g., "please list all the values of //items/name" or is that work which is expected to be handled by a custom deserializer?

[aaubry]

Exactly. Unless a node has a tag, the above types will be used depending on the node's type. If the node has a tag, you will need to register a tag mapping, indicating which .NET type corresponds to that tag.

[bjorg]

Is there an easy what to change the default type for mapping to Dictionary<string, object>?

[ohads-MSFT]

Id you deserialize to object, the following default types will be used:

Node Type CLR type
scalar String
sequence List<Object>
mapping Dictionary<Object, Object>

Thank you, this is really useful information - is it documented anywhere?