# Custom Serialized Field Solution for Scriptable Objects in Asset Bundles
###### tags: `framework`

## The Problem

Unity **can not deserialize** correctly serialized fields of custom types in Scriptable Objects when we load them from asset bundles.

Let's say we have created these custom types.

[System.Serializable]
public class ClassA
{
    public ClassB[] m_ClassB;
}

[System.Serializable]
public class ClassB
{
    public string m_SomeText;
    public int m_SomeInt;
}

The below `m_ObjectA` will be empty when will be loaded from an asset bundle.

public class ExampleAsset : ScriptableObject
{
    [SerializeField] private ClassA m_ObjectA;
}

## The Solution
We developed a custom scriptable object type (`SerializableScriptableObject`) and a custom attribute in order to serialize a field of a custom type to a JSON string. Then Unity will serialize/deserialize the JSON string fine.

### Namespace
**CNDG.Framework**

### SerializableScriptableObject
class in CNDGFramewok.dll / Inherits UnityEngine.ScriptableObject

| Public Methods | |
| - | - |
| Serialise():void | Serialise all fields with JSONSerializeField attribute to a JSON string defined in JSONSerializeField attribute. |
| Deserialise():void | Gets all the fields with JSONSerializeField attribute and tries to deserialize the JSON string defined in their JSONSerializeField attributes. |

### Example

public class ExampleAsset : SerializableScriptableObject
{
    // create a SerializeField private string (HideInInspector if we like).
    // we will use this field to save the json string and Unity will serialize/deserialize it fine.
    [SerializeField, HideInInspector] private string m_ObjectAJson;

    // in the field with the custom type we have to add the JSONSerializeField attribute
    // and define the above string field which will use to save the serialized json string.
    [JSONSerializeField(jsonStringName = "m_ObjectAJson"), SerializeField] private ClassA m_ObjectA;
}

### Restriction
This method works only for:
* Value types
* Arrays
* Lists

Will not work with reference types.
Also, keep in mind that we are using Unity's `JsonUtility` for serialization and deserialization. So our solution inherits any restriction `JsonUtility` has.