C# || How To Serialize & Deserialize XML Using C#

May 10, 2021 admin No comments

The following is a module with functions which demonstrates how to serialize and deserialize XML using C#.

The following generic functions use System.Xml.Serialization to serialize and deserialize an object.

Note: Don’t forget to include the ‘Utils Namespace‘ before running the examples!

1. Serialize – Integer Array

The example below demonstrates the use of ‘Utils.Xml.Serialize‘ to serialize an integer array to xml.

The optional function parameter allows you to specify the System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute.





		
		
			1. Serialize - Integer Array
			
C#
			
			// Serialize - Integer Array

// Declare array of integers 
var numbers = new int[] { 1987, 19, 22, 2009, 2019, 1991, 28, 31 };

// Optional: Create an XmlRootAttribute overloaded constructor and set its namespace.
var myXmlRootAttribute = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute("OverriddenRootElementName") {
    Namespace = "http://www.microsoft.com"
};

// Serialize to XML
var numbersXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(numbers);

// Display XML
Console.WriteLine(numbersXml);

// expected output:
/*
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <ArrayOfInt xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
      <int>1987</int>
      <int>19</int>
      <int>22</int>
      <int>2009</int>
      <int>2019</int>
      <int>1991</int>
      <int>28</int>
      <int>31</int>
    </ArrayOfInt>
*/
			
				
					
				
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						// Serialize - Integer Array
 
// Declare array of integers 
var numbers = new int[] { 1987, 19, 22, 2009, 2019, 1991, 28, 31 };
 
// Optional: Create an XmlRootAttribute overloaded constructor and set its namespace.
var myXmlRootAttribute = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute("OverriddenRootElementName") {
    Namespace = "http://www.microsoft.com"
};
 
// Serialize to XML
var numbersXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(numbers);
 
// Display XML
Console.WriteLine(numbersXml);
 
// expected output:
/*
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <ArrayOfInt xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
      <int>1987</int>
      <int>19</int>
      <int>22</int>
      <int>2009</int>
      <int>2019</int>
      <int>1991</int>
      <int>28</int>
      <int>31</int>
    </ArrayOfInt>
*/

2. Serialize – String List

The example below demonstrates the use of ‘Utils.Xml.Serialize‘ to serialize a list of strings to xml.

The optional function parameter allows you to specify the System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute.





		
		
			2. Serialize - String List
			
C#
			
			// Serialize - String List

// Declare list of strings
var names = new List<string>() {
    "Kenneth",
    "Jennifer",
    "Lynn",
    "Sole"
};

// Serialize to XML
var namesXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(names);

// Display XML
Console.WriteLine(namesXml);

// expected output:
/*
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <ArrayOfString xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
      <string>Kenneth</string>
      <string>Jennifer</string>
      <string>Lynn</string>
      <string>Sole</string>
    </ArrayOfString>
*/
			
				
					
				
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						// Serialize - String List
 
// Declare list of strings
var names = new List<string>() {
    "Kenneth",
    "Jennifer",
    "Lynn",
    "Sole"
};
 
// Serialize to XML
var namesXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(names);
 
// Display XML
Console.WriteLine(namesXml);
 
// expected output:
/*
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <ArrayOfString xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
      <string>Kenneth</string>
      <string>Jennifer</string>
      <string>Lynn</string>
      <string>Sole</string>
    </ArrayOfString>
*/

3. Serialize – Custom Object List

The example below demonstrates the use of ‘Utils.Xml.Serialize‘ to serialize a list of custom objects to xml.

The optional function parameter allows you to specify the System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute.





		
		
			3. Serialize - Custom Object List
			
C#
			
			// Serialize - Custom Object List

[System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRoot(ElementName = "Inventory")] // Optional
public class Inventory {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlArray(ElementName = "Parts")] // Optional
    public List<Part> Parts { get; set; }
}

public class Part {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartName")] // Optional
    public string PartName { get; set; }
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartId")] // Optional
    public int PartId { get; set; }
}

// Declare list of objects
var inventory = new Inventory() {
    Parts = new List<Part>() {
        new Part() {
            PartName = "crank arm",
            PartId = 1234
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "chain ring",
            PartId = 1334
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "regular seat",
            PartId = 1434
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "banana seat",
            PartId = 1444
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "cassette",
            PartId = 1534
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "shift lever",
            PartId = 1634
        }
    }
};

// Serialize to XML
var inventoryXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(inventory);

// Display XML
Console.WriteLine(inventoryXml);

// expected output:
/*
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <Inventory xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
      <Parts>
        <Part>
          <PartName>crank arm</PartName>
          <PartId>1234</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>chain ring</PartName>
          <PartId>1334</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>regular seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1434</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>banana seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1444</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>cassette</PartName>
          <PartId>1534</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>shift lever</PartName>
          <PartId>1634</PartId>
        </Part>
      </Parts>
    </Inventory>
*/
			
				
					
				
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						// Serialize - Custom Object List
 
[System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRoot(ElementName = "Inventory")] // Optional
public class Inventory {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlArray(ElementName = "Parts")] // Optional
    public List<Part> Parts { get; set; }
}
 
public class Part {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartName")] // Optional
    public string PartName { get; set; }
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartId")] // Optional
    public int PartId { get; set; }
}
 
// Declare list of objects
var inventory = new Inventory() {
    Parts = new List<Part>() {
        new Part() {
            PartName = "crank arm",
            PartId = 1234
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "chain ring",
            PartId = 1334
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "regular seat",
            PartId = 1434
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "banana seat",
            PartId = 1444
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "cassette",
            PartId = 1534
        },
        new Part() {
            PartName = "shift lever",
            PartId = 1634
        }
    }
};
 
// Serialize to XML
var inventoryXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(inventory);
 
// Display XML
Console.WriteLine(inventoryXml);
 
// expected output:
/*
    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <Inventory xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
      <Parts>
        <Part>
          <PartName>crank arm</PartName>
          <PartId>1234</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>chain ring</PartName>
          <PartId>1334</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>regular seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1434</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>banana seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1444</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>cassette</PartName>
          <PartId>1534</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>shift lever</PartName>
          <PartId>1634</PartId>
        </Part>
      </Parts>
    </Inventory>
*/

4. Deserialize – Integer Array

The example below demonstrates the use of ‘Utils.Xml.Deserialize‘ to deserialize xml to an integer array.

The optional function parameter allows you to specify the System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute.





		
		
			4. Deserialize - Integer Array
			
C#
			
			// Deserialize - Integer Array

// Declare Xml array of integers
var numbersXml = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
    <ArrayOfInt xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
        <int>1987</int>
        <int>19</int>
        <int>22</int>
        <int>2009</int>
        <int>2019</int>
        <int>1991</int>
        <int>28</int>
        <int>31</int>
    </ArrayOfInt>
";

// Optional: Create an XmlRootAttribute overloaded constructor and set its namespace.
var myXmlRootAttribute = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute("OverriddenRootElementName") {
    Namespace = "http://www.microsoft.com"
};

// Deserialize from XML to specified type
var numbers = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<int[]>(numbersXml);

// Display the items
foreach (var item in numbers) {
    Console.WriteLine($"{item}");
}

// expected output:
/*
    1987
    19
    22
    2009
    2019
    1991
    28
    31
*/
			
				
					
				
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						// Deserialize - Integer Array
 
// Declare Xml array of integers
var numbersXml = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
    <ArrayOfInt xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
        <int>1987</int>
        <int>19</int>
        <int>22</int>
        <int>2009</int>
        <int>2019</int>
        <int>1991</int>
        <int>28</int>
        <int>31</int>
    </ArrayOfInt>
";
 
// Optional: Create an XmlRootAttribute overloaded constructor and set its namespace.
var myXmlRootAttribute = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute("OverriddenRootElementName") {
    Namespace = "http://www.microsoft.com"
};
 
// Deserialize from XML to specified type
var numbers = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<int[]>(numbersXml);
 
// Display the items
foreach (var item in numbers) {
    Console.WriteLine($"{item}");
}
 
// expected output:
/*
    1987
    19
    22
    2009
    2019
    1991
    28
    31
*/

5. Deserialize – String List

The example below demonstrates the use of ‘Utils.Xml.Deserialize‘ to deserialize xml to a list of strings.

The optional function parameter allows you to specify the System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute.





		
		
			5. Deserialize - String List
			
C#
			
			// Deserialize - String List

// Declare Xml array of strings
var namesXml = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
    <ArrayOfString xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
        <string>Kenneth</string>
        <string>Jennifer</string>
        <string>Lynn</string>
        <string>Sole</string>
    </ArrayOfString>
";

// Deserialize from XML to specified type
var names = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<List<string>>(namesXml);

// Display the items
foreach (var item in names) { 
    Console.WriteLine($"{item}");
}

// expected output:
/*
    Kenneth
    Jennifer
    Lynn
    Sole
*/
			
				
					
				
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						// Deserialize - String List
 
// Declare Xml array of strings
var namesXml = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
    <ArrayOfString xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
        <string>Kenneth</string>
        <string>Jennifer</string>
        <string>Lynn</string>
        <string>Sole</string>
    </ArrayOfString>
";
 
// Deserialize from XML to specified type
var names = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<List<string>>(namesXml);
 
// Display the items
foreach (var item in names) { 
    Console.WriteLine($"{item}");
}
 
// expected output:
/*
    Kenneth
    Jennifer
    Lynn
    Sole
*/

6. Deserialize – Custom Object List

The example below demonstrates the use of ‘Utils.Xml.Deserialize‘ to deserialize xml to a list of objects.

The optional function parameter allows you to specify the System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute.





		
		
			6. Deserialize - Custom Object List
			
C#
			
			// Deserialize - Custom Object List

[System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRoot(ElementName = "Inventory")] // Optional
public class Inventory {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlArray(ElementName = "Parts")] // Optional
    public List<Part> Parts { get; set; }
}

public class Part {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartName")] // Optional
    public string PartName { get; set; }
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartId")] // Optional
    public int PartId { get; set; }
}

// Declare Xml array of objects
var inventoryXml = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
    <Inventory xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"" xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"">
      <Parts>
        <Part>
          <PartName>crank arm</PartName>
          <PartId>1234</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>chain ring</PartName>
          <PartId>1334</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>regular seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1434</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>banana seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1444</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>cassette</PartName>
          <PartId>1534</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>shift lever</PartName>
          <PartId>1634</PartId>
        </Part>
      </Parts>
    </Inventory>
";

// Deserialize from XML to specified type
var inventory = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<Inventory>(inventoryXml);

// Display the items
foreach (var item in inventory.Parts) {
    Console.WriteLine($"{item.PartId} - {item.PartName}");
}

// expected output:
/*
    1234 - crank arm
    1334 - chain ring
    1434 - regular seat
    1444 - banana seat
    1534 - cassette
    1634 - shift lever
*/
			
				
					
				
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						// Deserialize - Custom Object List
 
[System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRoot(ElementName = "Inventory")] // Optional
public class Inventory {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlArray(ElementName = "Parts")] // Optional
    public List<Part> Parts { get; set; }
}
 
public class Part {
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartName")] // Optional
    public string PartName { get; set; }
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartId")] // Optional
    public int PartId { get; set; }
}
 
// Declare Xml array of objects
var inventoryXml = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
    <Inventory xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"" xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"">
      <Parts>
        <Part>
          <PartName>crank arm</PartName>
          <PartId>1234</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>chain ring</PartName>
          <PartId>1334</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>regular seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1434</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>banana seat</PartName>
          <PartId>1444</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>cassette</PartName>
          <PartId>1534</PartId>
        </Part>
        <Part>
          <PartName>shift lever</PartName>
          <PartId>1634</PartId>
        </Part>
      </Parts>
    </Inventory>
";
 
// Deserialize from XML to specified type
var inventory = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<Inventory>(inventoryXml);
 
// Display the items
foreach (var item in inventory.Parts) {
    Console.WriteLine($"{item.PartId} - {item.PartName}");
}
 
// expected output:
/*
    1234 - crank arm
    1334 - chain ring
    1434 - regular seat
    1444 - banana seat
    1534 - cassette
    1634 - shift lever
*/

7. Utils Namespace

The following is the Utils Namespace. Include this in your project to start using!





		
		
			Utils Namespace
			
C#
			
			// ============================================================================
//    Author: Kenneth Perkins
//    Date:   May 10, 2021
//    Taken From: http://programmingnotes.org/
//    File:  Utils.cs
//    Description: Handles general utility functions
// ============================================================================
using System;

namespace Utils {
    public static class Xml {
        /// <summary>
        /// Serializes the specified value to XML
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="value">The value to serialize</param> 
        /// <param name="root">The XmlRootAttribute that represents the XML root element</param> 
        /// <returns>The value serialized to XML</returns>
        public static string Serialize<T>(T value
                                    , System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute root = null) {
            var xml = string.Empty;
            var type = value != null ? value.GetType() : typeof(T);
            var serializer = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer(type: type, root: root);
            using (var stream = new System.IO.MemoryStream()) {
                serializer.Serialize(stream, value);
                xml = GetStreamText(stream);
            }
            return xml;
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Deserializes the specified value from XML to Object T
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="value">The value to deserialize</param> 
        /// <param name="root">The XmlRootAttribute that represents the XML root element</param> 
        /// <returns>The value deserialized to Object T</returns>
        public static T Deserialize<T>(string value
                                        , System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute root = null) {
            T obj = default;
            var serializer = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer(type: typeof(T), root: root);
            using (var stringReader = new System.IO.StringReader(value)) {
                using (var xmlReader = System.Xml.XmlReader.Create(stringReader)) {
                    obj = (T)serializer.Deserialize(xmlReader);
                }
            }
            return obj;
        }

        public static string GetStreamText(System.IO.Stream stream) {
            try {
                TryResetPosition(stream);
                var stmReader = new System.IO.StreamReader(stream);
                var text = stmReader.ReadToEnd();
                return text;
            } catch {
                throw;
            } finally {
                TryResetPosition(stream);
            }
        }

        private static void TryResetPosition(System.IO.Stream stream) {
            if (stream.CanSeek) {
                stream.Position = 0;
            }  
        }
    }
}// http://programmingnotes.org/
			
				
					
				
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						// ============================================================================
//    Author: Kenneth Perkins
//    Date:   May 10, 2021
//    Taken From: http://programmingnotes.org/
//    File:  Utils.cs
//    Description: Handles general utility functions
// ============================================================================
using System;
 
namespace Utils {
    public static class Xml {
        /// <summary>
        /// Serializes the specified value to XML
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="value">The value to serialize</param> 
        /// <param name="root">The XmlRootAttribute that represents the XML root element</param> 
        /// <returns>The value serialized to XML</returns>
        public static string Serialize<T>(T value
                                    , System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute root = null) {
            var xml = string.Empty;
            var type = value != null ? value.GetType() : typeof(T);
            var serializer = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer(type: type, root: root);
            using (var stream = new System.IO.MemoryStream()) {
                serializer.Serialize(stream, value);
                xml = GetStreamText(stream);
            }
            return xml;
        }
 
        /// <summary>
        /// Deserializes the specified value from XML to Object T
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="value">The value to deserialize</param> 
        /// <param name="root">The XmlRootAttribute that represents the XML root element</param> 
        /// <returns>The value deserialized to Object T</returns>
        public static T Deserialize<T>(string value
                                        , System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute root = null) {
            T obj = default;
            var serializer = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer(type: typeof(T), root: root);
            using (var stringReader = new System.IO.StringReader(value)) {
                using (var xmlReader = System.Xml.XmlReader.Create(stringReader)) {
                    obj = (T)serializer.Deserialize(xmlReader);
                }
            }
            return obj;
        }
 
        public static string GetStreamText(System.IO.Stream stream) {
            try {
                TryResetPosition(stream);
                var stmReader = new System.IO.StreamReader(stream);
                var text = stmReader.ReadToEnd();
                return text;
            } catch {
                throw;
            } finally {
                TryResetPosition(stream);
            }
        }
 
        private static void TryResetPosition(System.IO.Stream stream) {
            if (stream.CanSeek) {
                stream.Position = 0;
            }  
        }
    }
}// http://programmingnotes.org/

8. More Examples

Below are more examples demonstrating the use of the ‘Utils‘ Namespace. Don’t forget to include the module when running the examples!





		
		
			More Examples
			
C#
			
			// ============================================================================
//    Author: Kenneth Perkins
//    Date:   May 10, 2021
//    Taken From: http://programmingnotes.org/
//    File:  Program.cs
//    Description: The following demonstrates the use of the Utils Namespace
// ============================================================================
using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Collections.Generic;

public class Program {

    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRoot(ElementName = "Inventory")] // Optional
    public class Inventory {
        [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlArray(ElementName = "Parts")] // Optional
        public List<Part> Parts { get; set; }
    }
     
    public class Part {
        [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartName")] // Optional
        public string PartName { get; set; }
        [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartId")] // Optional
        public int PartId { get; set; }
    }

    static void Main(string[] args) {
        try {
            // Declare array of integers 
            var numbers = new int[] { 1987, 19, 22, 2009, 2019, 1991, 28, 31 };

            // Create an XmlRootAttribute overloaded constructor and set its namespace.
            var myXmlRootAttribute = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute("OverriddenRootElementName") {
                Namespace = "http://www.microsoft.com"
            };

            // Serialize to XML
            var numbersXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(numbers);

            // Display XML
            Display(numbersXml);

            Display("");

            // Declare list of strings
            var names = new List<string>() {
                "Kenneth",
                "Jennifer",
                "Lynn",
                "Sole"
            };

            // Serialize to XML
            var namesXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(names);

            // Display XML
            Display(namesXml);

            Display("");

            // Declare list of objects
            var inventory = new Inventory() {
                Parts = new List<Part>() {
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "crank arm",
                        PartId = 1234
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "chain ring",
                        PartId = 1334
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "regular seat",
                        PartId = 1434
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "banana seat",
                        PartId = 1444
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "cassette",
                        PartId = 1534
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "shift lever",
                        PartId = 1634
                    }
                }
            };

            // Serialize to XML
            var inventoryXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(inventory);

            // Display XML
            Display(inventoryXml);

            Display("");

            // Declare Xml array of integers
            var numbersXmlTest = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
                <ArrayOfInt xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
                    <int>1987</int>
                    <int>19</int>
                    <int>22</int>
                    <int>2009</int>
                    <int>2019</int>
                    <int>1991</int>
                    <int>28</int>
                    <int>31</int>
                </ArrayOfInt>
            ";

            // Deserialize from XML to specified type
            var numbersTest = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<int[]>(numbersXmlTest);

            // Display the items
            foreach (var item in numbersTest) {
                Display($"{item}");
            }

            Display("");

            // Declare Xml array of strings
            var namesXmlTest = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
                <ArrayOfString xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
                    <string>Kenneth</string>
                    <string>Jennifer</string>
                    <string>Lynn</string>
                    <string>Sole</string>
                </ArrayOfString>
            ";

            // Deserialize from XML to specified type
            var namesTest = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<List<string>>(namesXmlTest);

            // Display the items
            foreach (var item in namesTest) { 
                Display($"{item}");
            }

            Display("");

            // Declare Xml array of objects
            var inventoryXmlTest = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
                <Inventory xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"" xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"">
                  <Parts>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>crank arm</PartName>
                      <PartId>1234</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>chain ring</PartName>
                      <PartId>1334</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>regular seat</PartName>
                      <PartId>1434</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>banana seat</PartName>
                      <PartId>1444</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>cassette</PartName>
                      <PartId>1534</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>shift lever</PartName>
                      <PartId>1634</PartId>
                    </Part>
                  </Parts>
                </Inventory>
            ";

            // Deserialize from XML to specified type
            var inventoryTest = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<Inventory>(inventoryXmlTest);

            // Display the items
            foreach (var item in inventoryTest.Parts) {
                Display($"{item.PartId} - {item.PartName}");
            }
        } catch (Exception ex) {
            Display(ex.ToString());
        } finally {
            Console.ReadLine();
        }
    }

    static void Display(string message) {
        Console.WriteLine(message);
        Debug.Print(message);
    }
}// http://programmingnotes.org/
			
				
					
				
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						// ============================================================================
//    Author: Kenneth Perkins
//    Date:   May 10, 2021
//    Taken From: http://programmingnotes.org/
//    File:  Program.cs
//    Description: The following demonstrates the use of the Utils Namespace
// ============================================================================
using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Collections.Generic;
 
public class Program {
 
    [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRoot(ElementName = "Inventory")] // Optional
    public class Inventory {
        [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlArray(ElementName = "Parts")] // Optional
        public List<Part> Parts { get; set; }
    }
     
    public class Part {
        [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartName")] // Optional
        public string PartName { get; set; }
        [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlElement(ElementName = "PartId")] // Optional
        public int PartId { get; set; }
    }
 
    static void Main(string[] args) {
        try {
            // Declare array of integers 
            var numbers = new int[] { 1987, 19, 22, 2009, 2019, 1991, 28, 31 };
 
            // Create an XmlRootAttribute overloaded constructor and set its namespace.
            var myXmlRootAttribute = new System.Xml.Serialization.XmlRootAttribute("OverriddenRootElementName") {
                Namespace = "http://www.microsoft.com"
            };
 
            // Serialize to XML
            var numbersXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(numbers);
 
            // Display XML
            Display(numbersXml);
 
            Display("");
 
            // Declare list of strings
            var names = new List<string>() {
                "Kenneth",
                "Jennifer",
                "Lynn",
                "Sole"
            };
 
            // Serialize to XML
            var namesXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(names);
 
            // Display XML
            Display(namesXml);
 
            Display("");
 
            // Declare list of objects
            var inventory = new Inventory() {
                Parts = new List<Part>() {
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "crank arm",
                        PartId = 1234
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "chain ring",
                        PartId = 1334
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "regular seat",
                        PartId = 1434
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "banana seat",
                        PartId = 1444
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "cassette",
                        PartId = 1534
                    },
                    new Part() {
                        PartName = "shift lever",
                        PartId = 1634
                    }
                }
            };
 
            // Serialize to XML
            var inventoryXml = Utils.Xml.Serialize(inventory);
 
            // Display XML
            Display(inventoryXml);
 
            Display("");
 
            // Declare Xml array of integers
            var numbersXmlTest = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
                <ArrayOfInt xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
                    <int>1987</int>
                    <int>19</int>
                    <int>22</int>
                    <int>2009</int>
                    <int>2019</int>
                    <int>1991</int>
                    <int>28</int>
                    <int>31</int>
                </ArrayOfInt>
            ";
 
            // Deserialize from XML to specified type
            var numbersTest = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<int[]>(numbersXmlTest);
 
            // Display the items
            foreach (var item in numbersTest) {
                Display($"{item}");
            }
 
            Display("");
 
            // Declare Xml array of strings
            var namesXmlTest = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
                <ArrayOfString xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"" xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"">
                    <string>Kenneth</string>
                    <string>Jennifer</string>
                    <string>Lynn</string>
                    <string>Sole</string>
                </ArrayOfString>
            ";
 
            // Deserialize from XML to specified type
            var namesTest = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<List<string>>(namesXmlTest);
 
            // Display the items
            foreach (var item in namesTest) { 
                Display($"{item}");
            }
 
            Display("");
 
            // Declare Xml array of objects
            var inventoryXmlTest = $@"<?xml version=""1.0""?>
                <Inventory xmlns:xsd=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"" xmlns:xsi=""http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"">
                  <Parts>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>crank arm</PartName>
                      <PartId>1234</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>chain ring</PartName>
                      <PartId>1334</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>regular seat</PartName>
                      <PartId>1434</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>banana seat</PartName>
                      <PartId>1444</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>cassette</PartName>
                      <PartId>1534</PartId>
                    </Part>
                    <Part>
                      <PartName>shift lever</PartName>
                      <PartId>1634</PartId>
                    </Part>
                  </Parts>
                </Inventory>
            ";
 
            // Deserialize from XML to specified type
            var inventoryTest = Utils.Xml.Deserialize<Inventory>(inventoryXmlTest);
 
            // Display the items
            foreach (var item in inventoryTest.Parts) {
                Display($"{item.PartId} - {item.PartName}");
            }
        } catch (Exception ex) {
            Display(ex.ToString());
        } finally {
            Console.ReadLine();
        }
    }
 
    static void Display(string message) {
        Console.WriteLine(message);
        Debug.Print(message);
    }
}// http://programmingnotes.org/

QUICK NOTES:
The highlighted lines are sections of interest to look out for.

The code is heavily commented, so no further insight is necessary. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

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Posted in: C#, Console Tags: c-sharp, xml

C# || How To Serialize & Deserialize XML Using C#

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