Namespace for [DataContract]

Question

I can't find the namespace to use for [DataContract] and [DataMember] elements. According to what I've found, it seems that adding the following should be enough, but in my case it is not.

using System;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

Here is a snippet of my code:

using System;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

namespace MyNamespace {

    [DataContract]
    public class Tuple<T1, T2> {
            // A custom implementation of a Tuple
            //...
            //...
        }
}

And the error I get:

The type or namespace name 'DataContract' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

Am I not using the right namespaces?

Using VS 2017, compiler error, can't build, no message in errors list or any indication at all. No syntax coloring of DataContract, nothing. — dudeNumber4
– dudeNumber4, Commented May 5, 2017 at 12:50
@dudeNumber4 Right click on your project Add/Reference. In the dialog find System.Runtime.Serialization and make checkbox cheked state. Then Press "Ok" — Sim Mak
– Sim Mak, Commented May 22, 2017 at 21:57

Daniel · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-30 14:03:13Z

445

DataContractAttribute Class is in the System.Runtime.Serialization namespace.

You should add a reference to System.Runtime.Serialization.dll. That assembly isn't referenced by default though. To add the reference to your project you have to go to References -> Add Reference in the Solution Explorer and add an assembly reference manually.

edited Apr 30, 2018 at 14:03

Daniel

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answered Sep 13, 2011 at 12:25

CD..

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6 Comments

marc_s Over a year ago

....and that assembly isn't referenced by default, so you have to go to References -> Add Reference in Solution Explorer and add an assembly reference...

Otiel Over a year ago

That's it, I didn't have the reference in my solution! I thought that if a reference were needed, it would get me an error on the line using System.Runtime.Serialization;. I guess I was wrong :)

Yatrix Over a year ago

Ugh. Why on Earth doesn't it error on the using statement? That seems to make sense to me.

Gui Over a year ago

I guess that's because another dll is using that namespace (otherwise you would get an error)

BobRodes Over a year ago

Thank you! None of Microsoft's example doc mentions this.

|

Guillaume · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-13 12:26:15Z

7

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.runtime.serialization.datacontractattribute.aspx

DataContractAttribute is in System.Runtime.Serialization namespace and you should reference System.Runtime.Serialization.dll. It's only available in .Net >= 3

answered Sep 13, 2011 at 12:26

Guillaume

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Comments

Md Kauser Ahmmed · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-25 12:29:05Z

7

In visual studio for .Net 4.0 framework,

Try to add new reference to project.
On .Net Tab, Search System.Runtime.Serialization.
Now, you can use using System.Runtime.Serialization. And the error will not be shown.

answered Nov 25, 2015 at 12:29

Md Kauser Ahmmed

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Jatin Khurana · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-13 16:02:10Z

5

[DataContract] and [DataMember] attribute are found in System.ServiceModel namespace which is in System.ServiceModel.dll .

System.ServiceModel uses the System and System.Runtime.Serialization namespaces to serialize the datamembers.

answered Dec 13, 2012 at 16:02

Jatin Khurana

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RotatingWheel · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-15 20:42:26Z

1

I solved this problem by adding C:\Program Files (x86)\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework.NETFramework\v4.0\System.Runtime.Serialization.dll in the reference

answered Apr 15, 2019 at 20:42

RotatingWheel

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Barney Szabolcs · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-04 01:27:35Z

0

First, I add the references to my Model, then I use them in my code. There are two references you should add:

using System.ServiceModel;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

then, this problem was solved in my program. I hope this answer can help you. Thanks.

edited Mar 4, 2014 at 1:27

Barney Szabolcs

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answered Mar 4, 2014 at 1:06

user3342169

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