Is using XmlSerializer the right choice?

[yinjennytam]

Hi all

I'm learning XML and .NET and I saw an example of using XmlSerializer to
deserialize an XML file to get the corresponding object in memory. I found
it very useful for my purpose. However, for simple properties it works for
me, but I actually need a bit more than just properties.

For example, my class actually contains a collection of strings as well, now
is using XmlSerializer the right choice? I don't know how many there will
be, but ideally I can just create a file (say an XML) and add as many strings
as necessary such that they will be added to the collection of the object in
memory.

Any pointers or suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[hOSAM]

Hi,

You can decide if you would use the XmlSerializer or not based on how you
want to design your classes; because XmlSerializer imposes certain
restrictions on your classes desings. Mainly, you must have a default
constructor and you must have getters and setters on all properties that you
want to serialize, if that is the way you are building your class, then use
the XmlSerializer, otherwise if you feel unhappy with these restrictions,
then you can go your own way.
<yi*********@newsgroup.nospam> wrote in message
news:4E**********************************@microsof t.com...

Hi all

I'm learning XML and .NET and I saw an example of using XmlSerializer to
deserialize an XML file to get the corresponding object in memory. I
found
it very useful for my purpose. However, for simple properties it works
for
me, but I actually need a bit more than just properties.

For example, my class actually contains a collection of strings as well,
now
is using XmlSerializer the right choice? I don't know how many there will
be, but ideally I can just create a file (say an XML) and add as many
strings
as necessary such that they will be added to the collection of the object
in
memory.

Any pointers or suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Kevin Yu [MSFT]]

Hi,

Based on your description, I think you need to save some data in your class
to xml file.

If you need to save the whole class, and then get the data back to the
class object, xml serialization is a good choice. You can add a public
collection property to the class and the collection will be serialized.

If you only need to save the string collection, You can also try to save
them directly using an XmlDocument object.

Kevin Yu
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