Скачать или смотреть Understanding XmlSerializer Behavior: Why Non-String Elements are Ignored in C# Serialization

Learn how to effectively serialize non-string elements using `XmlSerializer` in C# by understanding the importance of the `...Specified` properties and more.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/64609908/ asked by the user 'GordonS' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13443413/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/64610247/ provided by the user 'Klaus Gütter' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2142950/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Problem: XmlSerializer Does Not Include Non-String Elements in Serialization

When working with XmlSerializer in C# , developers might encounter a perplexing issue where certain non-string properties of a serialized object do not appear in the resulting XML string. This problem is often associated with WSDL documents where complex types define various properties. In this post, we will explore the common cause of this issue and how to effectively serialize all properties, including doubles and integers, along with how to manage unwanted XML namespaces.

A Typical Scenario

Consider a ResponseMsg class generated from a WSDL document, comprising both string and non-string (double and integer) properties.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

After adding a service reference and using the provided methods for serialization, developers may find that only the string properties are included in the serialized output. For instance, after executing serialization, the output may look somewhat like this:

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But where are the non-string (double) fields?

Understanding the ...Specified Properties

To tackle this issue, we need to delve into the concept of "Specified" properties. In autogenerated classes from WSDL, non-string properties often have accompanying boolean properties (e.g., CurBalanceSpecified, AvlBalanceSpecified) to indicate whether or not they should be serialized.

Key Points to Note:

String Properties: Serialization for strings can be implied based on null checks (e.g., != null).

Non-String Properties: Require explicit specification using the corresponding boolean properties. Otherwise, they won't be included in the serialized XML.

Solution: Update Your Serialization Code

To ensure non-string properties are serialized, we must set their ...Specified properties to true. Here's how to modify the instantiation of ResponseMsg for serialization:

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After doing this, all properties, including doubles, will appear in the XML output.

Managing XML Namespaces: Removing Unwanted xmlns

If you're looking to remove the xmlns declarations from each serialized element in your XML, adding an XmlSerializerNamespaces object can help. By using an empty namespace at the time of serialization, you can avoid this issue.

Example Code for Custom Serialization

Here's how to modify your serialization method to exclude unwanted namespaces:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

When utilizing XmlSerializer in C# , it’s vital to properly manage the ...Specified properties for non-string fields to ensure they are included in the XML output. By setting these appropriately and handling XML namespaces effectively, you can optimize your XML serialization process, making it more efficient while retaining all necessary data.

Wrapping Up

If you encounter similar serialization issues in your .NET applications, remember to check the structures and properties generated by WSDLs, ensuring you are handling non-string types with care. With the right approach, you can unlock the full potential of XML serialization and create seamless data interchange experiences.