How can I ignore a property when serializing using the DataContractSerializer?

Question

I am using .NET 3.5SP1 and DataContractSerializer to serialize a class. In SP1, they changed the behavior so that you don\'t have to include DataContract

Answer 1

Additionally, DataContractSerializer will serialize items marked as [Serializable] and will also serialize unmarked types in .NET 3.5 SP1 and later, to allow support for serializing anonymous types.

So, it depends on how you've decorated your class as to how to keep a member from serializing:

• If you used [DataContract], then remove the [DataMember] for the property.
• If you used [Serializable], then add [NonSerialized] in front of the field for the property.
• If you haven't decorated your class, then you should add [IgnoreDataMember] to the property.