System.Runtime.Serialization Namespace

Contains classes that can be used for serializing and deserializing objects. Serialization is the process of converting an object or a graph of objects into a linear sequence of bytes for either storage or transmission to another location. Deserialization is the process of taking in stored information and recreating objects from it.

Classes

CollectionDataContractAttribute	When applied to a collection type, enables custom specification of the collection item elements. This attribute can be applied only to types that are recognized by the DataContractSerializer as valid, serializable collections.
ContractNamespaceAttribute	Specifies the CLR namespace and XML namespace of the data contract.
DataContractAttribute	Specifies that the type defines or implements a data contract and is serializable by a serializer, such as the DataContractSerializer. To make their type serializable, type authors must define a data contract for their type.
DataContractResolver	Provides a mechanism for dynamically mapping types to and from xsi:type representations during serialization and deserialization.
DataContractSerializer	Serializes and deserializes an instance of a type into an XML stream or document using a supplied data contract. This class cannot be inherited.
DataContractSerializerExtensions	Extends the DataContractSerializer class by providing methods for setting and getting an ISerializationSurrogateProvider.
DataContractSerializerSettings	Specifies data contract serializer settings.
DataMemberAttribute	When applied to the member of a type, specifies that the member is part of a data contract and is serializable by the DataContractSerializer.
DateTimeFormat	Specifies date-time format options.
EnumMemberAttribute	Specifies that the field is an enumeration member and should be serialized.
ExportOptions	Represents the options that can be set for an XsdDataContractExporter.
ExtensionDataObject	Stores data from a versioned data contract that has been extended by adding new members.
Formatter	Provides base functionality for the common language runtime serialization formatters.
FormatterConverter	Represents a base implementation of the IFormatterConverter interface that uses the Convert class and the IConvertible interface.
FormatterServices	Provides static methods to aid with the implementation of a Formatter for serialization. This class cannot be inherited.
IgnoreDataMemberAttribute	When applied to the member of a type, specifies that the member is not part of a data contract and is not serialized.
InvalidDataContractException	The exception that is thrown when the DataContractSerializer or NetDataContractSerializer encounters an invalid data contract during serialization and deserialization.
KnownTypeAttribute	Specifies types that should be recognized by the DataContractSerializer when serializing or deserializing a given type.
ObjectIDGenerator	Generates IDs for objects.
ObjectManager	Keeps track of objects as they are deserialized.
OnDeserializedAttribute	When applied to a method, specifies that the method is called immediately after deserialization of an object in an object graph. The order of deserialization relative to other objects in the graph is non-deterministic.
OnDeserializingAttribute	When applied to a method, specifies that the method is called during deserialization of an object in an object graph. The order of deserialization relative to other objects in the graph is non-deterministic.
OnSerializedAttribute	When applied to a method, specifies that the method is called after serialization of an object in an object graph. The order of serialization relative to other objects in the graph is non-deterministic.
OnSerializingAttribute	When applied to a method, specifies that the method is called during serialization of an object in an object graph. The order of serialization relative to other objects in the graph is non-deterministic.
OptionalFieldAttribute	Specifies that a field can be missing from a serialization stream so that the BinaryFormatter and the SoapFormatter does not throw an exception.
SafeSerializationEventArgs	Provides data for the SerializeObjectState event.
SerializationBinder	Allows users to control class loading and mandate what class to load.
SerializationException	The exception thrown when an error occurs during serialization or deserialization.
SerializationInfo	Stores all the data needed to serialize or deserialize an object. This class cannot be inherited.
SerializationInfoEnumerator	Provides a formatter-friendly mechanism for parsing the data in SerializationInfo. This class cannot be inherited.
SerializationObjectManager	Manages serialization processes at run time. This class cannot be inherited.
SurrogateSelector	Assists formatters in selection of the serialization surrogate to delegate the serialization or deserialization process to.
XmlObjectSerializer	Provides the base class used to serialize objects as XML streams or documents. This class is abstract.
XmlSerializableServices	Contains methods for reading and writing XML.
XPathQueryGenerator	When given a class representing a data contract, and metadata representing a member of the contract, produces an XPath query for the member.
XsdDataContractExporter	Allows the transformation of a set of .NET types that are used in data contracts into an XML schema file (.xsd).

Structs

SerializationEntry	Holds the value, Type, and name of a serialized object.
StreamingContext	Describes the source and destination of a given serialized stream, and provides an additional caller-defined context.

Interfaces

IDeserializationCallback	Indicates that a class is to be notified when deserialization of the entire object graph has been completed. This interface is not called when you deserialize with XmlSerializer.
IExtensibleDataObject	Provides a data structure to store extra data encountered by the XmlObjectSerializer during deserialization of a type marked with the DataContractAttribute attribute.
IFormatter	Provides functionality for formatting serialized objects.
IFormatterConverter	Provides the connection between an instance of SerializationInfo and the formatter-provided class best suited to parse the data inside the SerializationInfo.
IObjectReference	Indicates that the current interface implementer is a reference to another object.
ISafeSerializationData	Enables serialization of custom exception data in security-transparent code.
ISerializable	Allows an object to control its own serialization and deserialization through binary and XML serialization.
ISerializationSurrogate	Implements a serialization surrogate selector that allows one object to perform serialization and deserialization of another.
ISerializationSurrogateProvider	Provides the methods needed to construct a serialization surrogate that extends the DataContractSerializer. A serialization surrogate is used during serialization and deserialization to substitute one type for another.
ISerializationSurrogateProvider2	Provides the methods needed to substitute one type for another by DataContractSerializer during export and import of XML schema documents (XSD). This interface builds upon ISerializationSurrogateProvider.
ISurrogateSelector	Indicates a serialization surrogate selector class.

Enums

EmitTypeInformation	Specifies how often to emit type information.
StreamingContextStates	Defines a set of flags that specifies the source or destination context for the stream during serialization.

Remarks

The ISerializable interface provides a way for classes to control their own serialization behavior. Classes in the System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters namespace control the actual formatting of various data types encapsulated in the serialized objects.

Formatters that serialize and deserialize objects to and from a particular format can be found in the System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters namespace.