XmlArray attribute applied to a List derived class

Question

I have

public class Convolutions : List<Convolution> { }

Which serializes as xml:

<ArrayOfConvolution>
     <Convolution>

But I would like:

<Convolutions>
    <Convolution>

But it is not possible to use [XmlArray("Convolutions")] or [XmlElement(ElementName = "Convolutions")] on a class.
Anyway to acheive this?

JK. · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-07 13:18:00Z

3

[XmlType("Convolutions")]
public class Convolutions : List<Convolution>{ }

answered Mar 7, 2012 at 13:18

JK.

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2 Comments

Ricibob Over a year ago

Thanks - that works - probably XmlRoot more approriate - but really 6 or one half a dozen of the other...

JK. Over a year ago

XmlRoot only works when it's the root. XmlType works everytime.

Marc Gravell · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-07 13:08:19Z

If that is the root object, then:

[XmlRoot("Convolutions")]
public class Convolutions : List<Convolution> { }

If it is a member of another object, use attributes on the member.

Another approach, more flexible in many cases, is to use a separate wrapper object and encapsulate the list; frankly, inheriting from lists is not usually very helpful. The following would work:

public class Convolutions {
    [XmlElement("Convolution")]
    public List<Convolution> Items { get; set; }
}

or if you don't like set on your collection members:

public class Convolutions {
    private readonly List<Convolution> items = new List<Convolution>();
    [XmlElement("Convolution")]
    public List<Convolution> Items { get { return items; } }
}

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