Serialization is the process of converting an object into a stream of bytes so that it can be stored in a file, sent over a network, or saved in a database. Deserialization is the opposite process, where the serialized object is reconstructed back into an object.
In C#, there are several ways to perform serialization. Here are the two most commonly used approaches:
1. Binary Serialization:
Binary serialization converts an object into a binary format, making it suitable for storage and transmission. To perform binary serialization, you need to follow these steps:
– Ensure that the class you want to serialize is marked with the `[Serializable]` attribute.
– Create an instance of the `BinaryFormatter` class.
– Create a `FileStream` or any other stream object to write the serialized data to a file.
– Call the `Serialize` method of the `BinaryFormatter` object and pass in the stream object and the object to be serialized.
– Close the stream object.
Here’s an example:
“`csharp
using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary;
[Serializable]
public class MyClass
{
public int MyProperty { get; set; }
}
public class Program
{
public static void Main(string[] args)
{
MyClass myObject = new MyClass { MyProperty = 42 };
BinaryFormatter formatter = new BinaryFormatter();
FileStream stream = new FileStream(“data.bin”, FileMode.Create);
formatter.Serialize(stream, myObject);
stream.Close();
}
}
“`
2. XML Serialization:
XML serialization converts an object into an XML format, making it human-readable and interoperable. It is useful when you need to exchange data between different platforms or systems. To perform XML serialization, you need to follow these steps:
– Ensure that the class you want to serialize is marked with the `[Serializable]` attribute.
– Create an instance of the `XmlSerializer` class, passing in the type of the object to be serialized.
– Create a `FileStream` or any other stream object to write the serialized data to a file.
– Call the `Serialize` method of the `XmlSerializer` object and pass in the stream object and the object to be serialized.
– Close the stream object.
Here’s an example:
“`csharp
using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Xml.Serialization;
[Serializable]
public class MyClass
{
public int MyProperty { get; set; }
}
public class Program
{
public static void Main(string[] args)
{
MyClass myObject = new MyClass { MyProperty = 42 };
XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(MyClass));
FileStream stream = new FileStream(“data.xml”, FileMode.Create);
serializer.Serialize(stream, myObject);
stream.Close();
}
}
“`
Both binary and XML serialization can be used to serialize and deserialize objects in C#. The choice between them depends on the specific requirements of your application and the desired format for the serialized data.