DataContractSerializer is an opt-in serializer. How to make it Opt-Out?

Question

I inherited some classes with a large number of attributes. I want to be able to serialize them for WCF.

As DataContractSerializer is an opt-in serializer, I will need to decorate all the properties with DataMember attribute, which seems to me a little cumbersome. Don't I have any other way around so that I don't have to add DataMember to all the properties?

Please note, most of my properties need to be serialized.

Answer 1

It depends if your properties can be automatically generated - if so, you could simple substitute the WCF serializer. Usually this is done to use JSON.NET instead:

C# WCF REST - How do you use JSON.Net serializer instead of the default DataContractSerializer?

Answer 2

That is how it was designed as indicated on this MSDN link here . Another alternative is using XmlSerializer which serializes all public fields/properties. Ultimately, you'll have to weigh the pros-and-cons on considering DataContractSerializer vs another approach.

Answer 3

You can simply not mark your classes with any of the common serialization attributes (i.e. [DataContract]/[Serializable]) and make sure all the properties you want to serialize are public get and set. If you want to exclude a certain property you need to mark it with the [IgnoreDataMember] attribute.

Example:

public class Hamster
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
    [IgnoreDataMember]
    public int Age { get; set; }
}

From Serializable Types on MSDN:

You can apply the DataContractAttribute and DataMemberAttribute attributes... However, even types that are not marked with these attributes are serialized and deserialized. The following rules and exceptions apply: ...
All public fields, and properties with public get and set methods are serialized, unless you apply the IgnoreDataMemberAttribute attribute to that member.

Answer 4

From dotnet 4.0 and above,

You can avoid the [DataContract] attribute to make all the public datamembers serializable.