Question

I need to read data from XML to a List<>.
The XML file contains three table format
XML:

<?xml version="1.0" standalone="yes"?>
<Test>
  <Table1>
    <Column_tb1>8</Column_tb1>
  </Table1>
  <Table2>
    <Column_tb2_AA>1</Column_tb2_AA>
    <Column_tb2_BB>11</Column_tb2_BB>
  </Table2>
  <Table2>
    <Column_tb2_AA>2</Column_tb2_AA>
    <Column_tb2_BB>22</Column_tb2_BB>
  </Table2>
  <Table3>
    <Column_tb3_AA>2</Column_tb1_AA>
    <Column_tb3_BB>1</Column_tb1_BB>
    <Column_tb3_CC>25</Column_tb1_CC>
  </Table3>
</Test>

Dataset can read that quite simple,

DataSet dsProfile = new DataSet();
dsProfile.ReadXml(strProfile);

By this way three datatables will in dsprofile automatic.
How can use a list as a container to save XML file data?
if only one table format, i can do that:

List<Table1> listtable1 = new List<Table1>();
XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(List<Table1>));
FileStream stream = File.OpenWrite("data.XML");
serializer.Serialize(stream, listtable1);

But there are 3 types of tables in file. What can i do if i still want to use List<>?

Best Regards.

Answer 1

I think your approach is not very safe. You can choose to make everything strong-typed and defined by:

1. Create XSD for the XML file
2. Use XSD.EXE to generate a serializable class
3. Use XmlSerializer to deserialize the XML into a class instance
4. Modify the instance
5. Use XmlSerializer to serialize back to XML

Another option is to make a base class for the three derived classes. That way the list can still serialize its contents as their derived types. However, the serializer will then serialize type information.