C# XmlSerializer: keep the value, override the element label

Question

I am currently using a LINQ query to read an XML file e.g. some_text some_more_text into a list of custom objects containing custom HistoryString properties. HistoryString contains 2 strings, a currentValue and a previousValue. This all works great except when using XmlSerializer to write the custom objects back to an XML file, the output fairly obviously contains additional tags i.e. some_text some_text some_more_text some_more_text Q: What would be the neatest and/or most efficient way of reading and writing XML in the same format, based on this fundamental difference? Some initial ideas: 1) Mark the previousValue property with [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlIgnore] then sweep through the XML string that is to be written removing all traces of and 2) Open the existing file and manually make any updates/deletes/additions - this is surely more long winded. 3) Any way of having a HistoryString automatically resolve to its currentValue rather than serialize each of its properties, similar to how ToString() works? I have done some research into this, including the useful MSDN articles here and here but I can't see any other attributes that would solve this problem, I am still unsure whether this is possible. Any ideas? JavaScript questions and answers, JavaScript questions pdf, JavaScript question bank, JavaScript questions and answers pdf, mcq on JavaScript pdf, JavaScript questions and solutions, JavaScript mcq Test , Interview JavaScript questions, JavaScript Questions for Interview, JavaScript MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

Answer 1

Here is another idea. If you define your class like so: [Serializable] public class MyObject { [XmlElement(ElementName = "MyElement")] public string CurrentValueElement { get { return Element.CurrentValue; } set { Element = new MyElement { CurrentValue = value, PreviousValue = value }; } } [XmlElement(ElementName = "MyOtherElement")] public string CurrentValueOtherElement { get { return OtherElement.CurrentValue; } set {} } [XmlIgnore] public MyElement Element { get; set; } [XmlIgnore] public MyElement OtherElement { get; set; } } Then, when the object is serialized, the output XML will look exactly like your example. Also, if you extend the CurrentValueElement/CurrentValueOtherElement setter like this: [XmlElement(ElementName = "MyElement")] public string CurrentValueElement { get { return Element.CurrentValue; } set { Element = new MyElement { CurrentValue = value, PreviousValue = value }; } } Then you'll be able to use the XmlSerializer to deserialize your objects directly without needing to resorting to LINQ.