Serialize elements of an array but not the array (XMLSerizlization)

Question

I have a simple array that I need to serialize as part of a larger object.

public class Holder
{
    public int ID { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public Thing[] Thingies { get; set; }
}

public class Thing {}

Normally this would be serialized as:

...
<Holder>
    <ID>...</ID>
    <Name>...</Name>
    <ArrayOfThing>
        <Thing>...</Thing>
        <Thing>...</Thing>
        <Thing>...</Thing>
        ...
    </ArrayOfThing>
</Holder>

Without worrying too much about deserialization, is there a way I could simply remove the ArrayOf element, but keep the elements inside, so that I'd have:

...
<Holder>
    <ID>...</ID>
    <Name>...</Name>
    <Thing>...</Thing>
    <Thing>...</Thing>
    <Thing>...</Thing>
    ...
</Holder>

@Austin No, it would have other elements. Let me update the example. — MPelletier
– MPelletier, Commented Sep 14, 2011 at 0:27

Bala R · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-14 00:35:14Z

2

Try

public class Holder
{
    public int ID { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }

    [XmlElement("Thing")]
    public Thing[] Thingies { get; set; }
}

MSDN for XmlElementAttribute has some examples as well.

answered Sep 14, 2011 at 0:35

Bala R

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4 Comments

MPelletier Over a year ago

Wouldn't that just wrap Thing in another Thing tag?

Bala R Over a year ago

@MPelletier nope. look at the example in the linked msdn page or just give it a try.

MPelletier Over a year ago

OK, I thought XmlElement was a way to rename the tag. Silly me. I haven't actually seen it in action. I'll check the page AND try it. :)

MPelletier Over a year ago

Wow, it renames the tag in every other context, but with arrays, it just renames the elements, not the array! Nice! Now to read up!

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:47:57Z

0

You could implement IXmlSerializable to let you read and write Thing or other children from the containing XML element.

Here is how you would implement this Proper way to implement IXmlSerializable?

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:47

CommunityBot

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answered Sep 14, 2011 at 0:32

Bernie White

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Comments

gilly3 · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-14 00:43:17Z

0

Use the [XmlElement] attribute:

[XmlElement]
public Thing[] Thingies { get; set; }

edited Sep 14, 2011 at 0:43

answered Sep 14, 2011 at 0:32

gilly3

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