JSON IList Covariance
An Unexpected Roadblock I ran into a an unexpected roadblock the other day when refactoring code that controls JSON de-serialization. It forced me to read up on the dreaded topic of covariance and contravariance in C#. During code review, I was asked to change the technique I used to specify how JSON should be de-serialized into a root type that includes properties typed as interfaces. The conundrum is what classes should be instantiated for these properties? I solved this problem using Json.NET JsonSerializerSettings.TypeNameHandling. This embeds type names into JSON text as properties named “$type”. When the JSON text is de-serialized, […]
Encrypting a File
Previous Efforts Back in February, I decided it was time to demystify the black box of secure Internet communications. I have been a professional programmer too long to continue carrying a hazy understanding of how web browsers and servers communicate securely. I wanted to remove HTTPS / SSL / TLS from the realm of magic and place it in the realm of the known and understood– a computer algorithm implemented in C# code. So I researched the topic, learned the underlying mathematics, wrote code to prove the theory actually works in practice, then wrote three blog posts explaining what I […]
