Is there a serializable generic Key/Value pair class in .NET?

Question

I\'m looking for a key/value pair object that I can include in a web service.

I tried using .NET\'s System.Collections.Generic.KeyValuePair<> class, but it doe

Answer 1

Use the DataContractSerializer since it can handle the Key Value Pair.

    public static string GetXMLStringFromDataContract(object contractEntity)
    {
        using (System.IO.MemoryStream writer = new System.IO.MemoryStream())
        {
            var dataContractSerializer = new DataContractSerializer(contractEntity.GetType());
            dataContractSerializer.WriteObject(writer, contractEntity);
            writer.Position = 0;
            var streamReader = new System.IO.StreamReader(writer);
            return streamReader.ReadToEnd();
        }
    }

Answer 2

Just define a struct/class.

[Serializable]
public struct KeyValuePair<K,V>
{
  public K Key {get;set;}
  public V Value {get;set;}
}

Answer 3

XmlSerializer doesn't work with Dictionaries. Oh, and it has problems with KeyValuePairs too

http://www.codeproject.com/Tips/314447/XmlSerializer-doesnt-work-with-Dictionaries-Oh-and

Answer 4

You will find the reason why KeyValuePairs cannot be serialised at this MSDN Blog Post

The Struct answer is the simplest solution, however not the only solution. A "better" solution is to write a Custom KeyValurPair class which is Serializable.

Answer 5

 [Serializable]
 public class SerializableKeyValuePair<TKey, TValue>
    {

        public SerializableKeyValuePair()
        {
        }

        public SerializableKeyValuePair(TKey key, TValue value)
        {
            Key = key;
            Value = value;
        }

        public TKey Key { get; set; }
        public TValue Value { get; set; }

    }

Answer 6

A KeyedCollection is a type of dictionary that can be directly serialized to xml without any nonsense. The only issue is that you have to access values by: coll["key"].Value;