.NET XmlSerializer and multidimensional arrays

Question

I'm implementing a program which acts as a client to some existing software. The protocol is defined using an XML schema, and it includes multidimensional arrays.

The .net XmlSerializer cannot handle those - it's a known issue.

Is there a way to extend XmlSerializer so I can implement handling for this, or is there a full (free or commercial) replacement for XmlSerializer that can handle multidimensional arrays?

SharpSerializer does not seem to create schema defined XML, but uses it's own serialization format.

I guess I can use sgen.exe to generate the serializer code, and then edit that manually afterwards to add the necessary handling, but I would like to avoid that.

You could add a property to your class which gives you a string of your array field. Ignore the array field with XmlIgnore and make the property serializable. — Alioza
– Alioza, Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 8:15

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:30:09Z

1

If you have control to change your schema, you could try use jagged arrays instead of multidimensional arrays.

string[][] instead of string[,]

or use something like List<List<T>>

You can create your own custom class which flattens the multidimensional array.

Alternatively, use XmlIgnore on your class, flatten the multidimensional array into a standard array (as proposed here by Marc Gravell)

[XmlIgnore]
public int[, ,] Data { get; set; }

[XmlElement("Data"), Browsable(false)]
[EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)]
public int[] DataDto
{
    get { /* flatten from Data */ }
    set { /* expand into Data */ }
}

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:30

CommunityBot

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answered Jun 12, 2015 at 8:36

Niels Filter

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2 Comments

user3717478 Over a year ago

What sort of thing goes in those get and set braces?

user3717478 Over a year ago

I've answered my own comment here: stackoverflow.com/questions/553824/…

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