Instance Of 'JSArray<dynamic>': Type 'List<dynamic>' Is Not A Subtype Of Type 'Map<String, Dynamic>'
Introduction
When working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart, using libraries like freezed
can simplify the process. However, sometimes, you may encounter errors that can be frustrating to resolve. In this article, we will explore a specific issue related to the freezed
library and how to resolve it.
Describe the Bug
The issue at hand is related to the freezed
library version 2.5.7
and its usage in a web application. The error message indicates that there is a type mismatch between List<dynamic>
and Map<String, dynamic>
. This error occurs when trying to parse a JSON object into a specific data model.
To Reproduce
To reproduce this issue, let's consider two models: SessionFeedback
and FeedbackDetails
. These models are defined using the freezed
library.
@Freezed(makeCollectionsUnmodifiable: false)
class SessionFeedback with _$SessionFeedback {
const factory SessionFeedback({
required String id,
required String playerUid,
required String trainerUid,
required String sessionId,
required DateTime createdAt,
required FeedbackDetails feedbackDetails,
required List<FeedbackConversation> conversation,
String? notes,
}) = _SessionFeedback;
factory SessionFeedback.fromJson(Map<String, Object?> json) =>
_$SessionFeedbackFromJson(json);
/// Setup default values for the session feedback firebase document
static Map<String, dynamic> get defaultValues => {
'createdAt': DateTime.now().toIso8601String(),
'conversations': [],
};
}
@freezed
class FeedbackDetails with _$FeedbackDetails {
const factory FeedbackDetails({
required Mindset mindset,
required Receptivity receptivity,
required Engagement engagement,
required Understanding understanding,
}) = _FeedbackDetails;
factory FeedbackDetails.fromJson(Map<String, Object?> json) =>
_$FeedbackDetailsFromJson(json);
}
The SessionFeedback
model has a feedbackDetails
property of type FeedbackDetails
, which is an enum-based model. The FeedbackDetails
model has four properties: mindset
, receptivity
, engagement
, and understanding
, all of which are enums.
Expected Behavior
The expected behavior is that the parsing should work as it does in the mobile app, where the same model classes are used. However, the error occurs at the fromJson
implementation of the SessionFeedback
model.
_$SessionFeedbackImpl _$SessionFeedbackImplFromJson(
Map<String, dynamic> json) =>
_$SessionFeedbackImpl(
id: json['id'] as String,
playerUid: json['playerUid'] as String,
trainerUid: json['trainerUid'] as String,
sessionId: json['sessionId'] as String,
createdAt: DateTime.parse(json['createdAt'] as String),
feedbackDetails: FeedbackDetails.fromJson(
json['feedbackDetails'] as Map<String, dynamic>), // <-- here
conversation: (json['conversation'] as List<dynamic>)
.map((e) => FeedbackConversation.fromJson(e as Map<String, dynamic>))
.toList(),
notes: json['notes'] as String?,
);
Resolving the Issue
The issue arises from the fact that the feedbackDetails
property in the SessionFeedback
model is of type FeedbackDetails
, which is an enum-based model. However, in the fromJson
implementation, we are trying to parse a Map<String, dynamic>
into a FeedbackDetails
object.
To resolve this issue, we need to modify the fromJson
implementation of the SessionFeedback
model to correctly parse the feedbackDetails
property. We can do this by using the fromJson
method of the FeedbackDetails
model to parse the feedbackDetails
property.
_$SessionFeedbackImpl _$SessionFeedbackImplFromJson(
Map<String, dynamic> json) =>
_$SessionFeedbackImpl(
id: json['id'] as String,
playerUid: json['playerUid'] as String,
trainerUid: json['trainerUid'] as String,
sessionId: json['sessionId'] as String,
createdAt: DateTime.parse(json['createdAt'] as String),
feedbackDetails: FeedbackDetails.fromJson(
json['feedbackDetails'] as Map<String, dynamic>), // <-- here
conversation: (json['conversation'] as List<dynamic>)
.map((e) => FeedbackConversation.fromJson(e as Map<String, dynamic>))
.toList(),
notes: json['notes'] as String?,
);
However, this will not work because the feedbackDetails
property is not a Map<String, dynamic>
. It is an enum-based model. To resolve this issue, we need to modify the fromJson
implementation of the SessionFeedback
model to correctly parse the feedbackDetails
property.
_$SessionFeedbackImpl _$SessionFeedbackImplFromJson(
Map<String, dynamic> json) =>
_$SessionFeedbackImpl(
id: json['id'] as String,
playerUid: json['playerUid'] as String,
trainerUid: json['trainerUid'] as String,
sessionId: json['sessionId'] as String,
createdAt: DateTime.parse(json['createdAt'] as String),
feedbackDetails: FeedbackDetails(
mindset: Mindset.values[json['feedbackDetails']['mindset'] as int],
receptivity: Receptivity.values[json['feedbackDetails']['receptivity'] as int],
engagement: Engagement.values[json['feedbackDetails']['engagement'] as int],
understanding: Understanding.values[json['feedbackDetails']['understanding'] as int],
),
conversation: (json['conversation'] as List<dynamic>)
.map((e) => FeedbackConversation.fromJson(e as Map<String, dynamic>))
.toList(),
notes: json['notes'] as String?,
);
In this modified implementation, we are using the values
property of the enum to parse the feedbackDetails
property.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the issue of Instance of 'JSArray<dynamic>': type 'List<dynamic>' is not a subtype of type 'Map<String, dynamic>'
can be resolved by modifying the fromJson
implementation of the SessionFeedback
model to correctly parse the feedbackDetails
property. This can be done by using the values
property of the enum to parse the feedbackDetails
property.
Additional Tips
- When working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart, it is essential to understand the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized.
- The
freezed
library can simplify the process of data serialization and deserialization in Dart, but it requires careful consideration of the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized. - When encountering errors related to type mismatches, it is essential to carefully examine the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized to resolve the issue.
References
- Freezed Library
- Dart Documentation
Instance of 'JSArray': type 'List ===========================================================' is not a subtype of type 'Map<String, dynamic>'
Q&A
Q: What is the issue with the freezed
library in this scenario?
A: The issue is that the freezed
library is trying to parse a List<dynamic>
into a Map<String, dynamic>
, which is not a valid type conversion.
Q: Why is this issue occurring?
A: This issue is occurring because the fromJson
implementation of the SessionFeedback
model is trying to parse a List<dynamic>
into a Map<String, dynamic>
, which is not a valid type conversion.
Q: How can I resolve this issue?
A: To resolve this issue, you need to modify the fromJson
implementation of the SessionFeedback
model to correctly parse the feedbackDetails
property. You can do this by using the values
property of the enum to parse the feedbackDetails
property.
Q: What is the correct way to parse the feedbackDetails
property?
A: The correct way to parse the feedbackDetails
property is to use the values
property of the enum to parse the feedbackDetails
property. For example:
feedbackDetails: FeedbackDetails(
mindset: Mindset.values[json['feedbackDetails']['mindset'] as int],
receptivity: Receptivity.values[json['feedbackDetails']['receptivity'] as int],
engagement: Engagement.values[json['feedbackDetails']['engagement'] as int],
understanding: Understanding.values[json['feedbackDetails']['understanding'] as int],
),
Q: What are some additional tips for working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart? A: Some additional tips for working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart include:
- Understanding the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized.
- Using the
freezed
library to simplify the process of data serialization and deserialization. - Carefully examining the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized to resolve any issues that may arise.
Q: What are some common issues that can occur when working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart? A: Some common issues that can occur when working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart include:
- Type mismatches between the data being serialized and deserialized.
- Issues with the structure of the data being serialized and deserialized.
- Problems with the serialization and deserialization process itself.
Q: How can I troubleshoot issues with data serialization and deserialization in Dart? A: To troubleshoot issues with data serialization and deserialization in Dart, you can:
- Carefully examine the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized.
- Use the
freezed
library to simplify the process of data serialization and deserialization. - Use debugging tools to identify and resolve any issues that may arise.
Q: What are some best practices for working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart? A: Some best practices for working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart include:
- Understanding the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized.
- Using the
freezed
library simplify the process of data serialization and deserialization. - Carefully examining the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized to resolve any issues that may arise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the issue of Instance of 'JSArray<dynamic>': type 'List<dynamic>' is not a subtype of type 'Map<String, dynamic>'
can be resolved by modifying the fromJson
implementation of the SessionFeedback
model to correctly parse the feedbackDetails
property. This can be done by using the values
property of the enum to parse the feedbackDetails
property. Additionally, some best practices for working with data serialization and deserialization in Dart include understanding the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized, using the freezed
library to simplify the process, and carefully examining the types and structures of the data being serialized and deserialized to resolve any issues that may arise.