Serialize an array of arrays as a single XML element

Question

I have a field:

public Field[][] fields;

And I want an XML:

<Fields>
    <Field x="0" y="0">
       ...
    </Field>
    <Field x="0" y="1">
       ...
    </Field>
    ...
</Fields>

Unfortunately, C# XmlSerializer gives me

<Fields>
    <ArrayOfField>
        .... some fields here
    </ArrayOfField>
    <ArrayOfField>
       .... some here
    </ArrayOfField>
            ...
</Fields>

How do I achieve this?

Well, actually I don't need to stick to an array of arrays. The fields do represent a 2D space, so it was a natural choice. Would a Dictionary serialize the way I need?

could you tell us where this x and y attributes are populated. you could transform your xml using xslt transform — codeandcloud
– codeandcloud, Commented Mar 31, 2012 at 16:23
I didnt give all the details, x and y are public fields of Field class and are mapped to the attributes. The Field class serializes okay. I just cant find a way to serialize a 2d array, neither multi-dim, array of arrays nor jagged. — emesx
– emesx, Commented Mar 31, 2012 at 16:29

Michael Liu · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-31 16:50:46Z

3

You can create a property that converts between the array of arrays and a single array:

using System.Linq;

...

[XmlIgnore]
public Field[][] Fields;

[XmlArray("Fields")]
public Field[] SerializedFields
{
    get
    {
        return this.Fields.SelectMany(fields => fields).ToArray();
    }
    set
    {
        this.Fields = new Field[value.Max(field => field.x) + 1][];
        for (int x = 0; x < this.Fields.Length; x++)
        {
            this.Fields[x] = value.Where(field => field.x == x).ToArray();
        }
    }
}

edited Mar 31, 2012 at 16:50

answered Mar 31, 2012 at 16:32

Michael Liu

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2 Comments

emesx Over a year ago

I thought about this, but how would you deserialize it ..?

Michael Liu Over a year ago

See my updated answer. It assumes several things: the x and y properties match the array indexes; there may be gaps in x; for a given x, there are no gaps in y (that is, if Fields[9][3] exists, so do Fields[9][0], Fields[9][1], and Fields[9][2]); it is OK to drop unused elements at the end of each array.

Robbie · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-31 16:23:13Z

1

I think you need to implement the IXmlSerializable interface: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.xml.serialization.ixmlserializable.aspx

You can then specify in your WriteXml() method how the xml should be written (formatted).

answered Mar 31, 2012 at 16:23

Robbie

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