simple xml for states list

[Aamir]

Hi,

Quick Question:
How to create a simple XML with US States list and read it into a
combo box.

Detail:
I am very new to Dot Net technology as well as xml.
I am building a desktop app in C# and need to populate the US States
list (AL, AR, .. WY) in a combo box. I could have done it by reading
from a table in SQL server but rather prefer to have that list saved
locally at client side as an xml and read it from there. what is the
simplest way to go about it, what should be the structure of xml
document and do i need schema also ?
thanks for any response

Aamir

[Dino Chiesa [MSFT]]

My answer for (almost) everything: XML Serialization.

here's how I would do it for this simple scope:
1. Create an XML file (maybe by querying a database) that represents the
data you want.
it might look something like this:
<StateList>
<State abbrev="AK" name="Alaska" />
<State abbrev="AL" name="Alabama" />
<State abbrev="AR" name="Arkansas" />
...
</StateList>

2. infer a schema from the xml file using the xsd.exe util in the .NET
Framework SDK. note: check the options on xsd.exe to select the
code-generation language (VB or C#).
xsd.exe /c statelist.xml

3. Compile the generated code

4. Write your app that uses the generated classes. To populate the
instances, use xml serialization.
something like this:

System.IO.FileStream fs = new System.IO.FileStream(path,
System.IO.FileMode.Open);
System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer s= new
System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer(typeof(Stat eList));
StateList l= (StateList) s.Deserialize(fs);
fs.Close();

5. You then can bind this thing to a control, like a listbox.

If I am not mistaken, the databound controls require public properties, not
fields. The xsd.exe tool generates classes with public fields. You may
need to modify the generated classes, or take some other step to
workaround. The issue is discussed in more detail here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en...ml01202003.asp

An alternative workaround is shown here:
http://www.winisp.net/cheeso/srcview...=MorphArray.cs

-Dino
"Aamir" <gh*****@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:4a************************@posting.google.com ...

Hi,

Quick Question:
How to create a simple XML with US States list and read it into a
combo box.

Detail:
I am very new to Dot Net technology as well as xml.
I am building a desktop app in C# and need to populate the US States
list (AL, AR, .. WY) in a combo box. I could have done it by reading
from a table in SQL server but rather prefer to have that list saved
locally at client side as an xml and read it from there. what is the
simplest way to go about it, what should be the structure of xml
document and do i need schema also ?
thanks for any response

Aamir

[Aamir]

Hi Dino

thanks for the post.
Meanwhile I worked out a solution as follows
created an xml file by using FOR XML clause in sql statement.
in my C# program I read the file through
FileStream through XMLTextReader
Used ReadXml method of empty dataset object to read the XMLTextReader
object into dataset.
Bind the DisplayMember & ValueMember properties to the dataset table
columns.
The detail is as follows.

Why would you prefer the serilazation over this method I followed.
Will appreciate your comment.

Aamir

//My Solution:
// Create a new DataSet.
DataSet dsStates= new DataSet();
// Read the XML document back in.
// Create new FileStream to read schema with.
System.IO.FileStream fsReadXml = new
System.IO.FileStream("USStates.xml", System.IO.FileMode.Open);
// Create an XmlTextReader to read the file.
System.Xml.XmlTextReader myXmlReader =
new System.Xml.XmlTextReader(fsReadXml);
// Read the XML document into the
DataSet.dsStates.ReadXml(myXmlReader);
cboState.DataSource = dsStates;
cboState.DisplayMember = "Row.State";
cboState.ValueMember = "Row.State";


*******************
"Dino Chiesa [MSFT]" <di****@microsoft.com> wrote in message news:<#6**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...

My answer for (almost) everything: XML Serialization.......

[Dino Chiesa [MSFT]]

The DataSet is a fine way to do it, especially if your data originates in a
database.
-Dino

"Aamir" <gh*****@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:4a**************************@posting.google.c om...

Hi Dino

thanks for the post.
Meanwhile I worked out a solution as follows
created an xml file by using FOR XML clause in sql statement.
in my C# program I read the file through
FileStream through XMLTextReader
Used ReadXml method of empty dataset object to read the XMLTextReader
object into dataset.
Bind the DisplayMember & ValueMember properties to the dataset table
columns.
The detail is as follows.

Why would you prefer the serilazation over this method I followed.
Will appreciate your comment.

Aamir

//My Solution:
// Create a new DataSet.
DataSet dsStates= new DataSet();
// Read the XML document back in.
// Create new FileStream to read schema with.
System.IO.FileStream fsReadXml = new
System.IO.FileStream("USStates.xml", System.IO.FileMode.Open);
// Create an XmlTextReader to read the file.
System.Xml.XmlTextReader myXmlReader =
new System.Xml.XmlTextReader(fsReadXml);
// Read the XML document into the
DataSet.dsStates.ReadXml(myXmlReader);
cboState.DataSource = dsStates;
cboState.DisplayMember = "Row.State";
cboState.ValueMember = "Row.State";


*******************
"Dino Chiesa [MSFT]" <di****@microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:<#6**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...

My answer for (almost) everything: XML Serialization.......