Question

I have a problem that I really need solved in any way (changing data types is an option)

Assumptions:

1. Both Program and Service done in VS2008
2. I have complete control over both Program and Service
3. I have a program that is passing a “list” of info to the Service Reference

Example:

Program snippet:

IList<string> XMLList = null;
XMLList = new List<string>();

// fill my list up here...  mostly just an "array" of xml-based strings

string[] arrayToSend = new string[XMLList.Count];
arrayToSend = XMLList.ToArray<string>();

string results = DataFeedService.ProcessXMLBatch(arrayToSend);

Service Snippet:

[WebMethod]
public string ProcessXMLBatch(string[] XMLBatch)
{
       // process the xml here...
       return "done";
}

Problem:
It does not consider the string[] that I create in the service to be the same kind of
string array. It converts it to a type of #namespace.#servicename.ArrayOfString

this code will currently not compile. I have looked around for alternate ways to pass a list or a generic and I keep hitting roadblocks.

Answer 1

Consider changing your code to use a List<string> rather than an IList<string> (I know that’s what you’re actually using, but declare your variable as such). The List<T> class provides an explicit ToArray() function that will be faster than the Enumerable.ToArray<T> extension method you’re employing in your code. This might clear up your issues too, but I’m not certain about that.

Also, you do not need

string[] arrayToSend = new string[XMLList.Count];

Just declare it as

string[] arrayToSend;

You’re already assigning it with the ToArray() call; no need to create another one beforehand.

Edit Why not instantiate and populate the ArrayOfString class that’s created in your service reference namespace? It will work just like a List<string> (and, in fact, I believe it inherits from it). Use this as the type for your XMLList, and just send the XMLList variable directly to the function.