Guys, can you please help me with the following issue.I want to serialize objects in C# with minimum effort. Let's say I have the following classes:class ABase // this is a base clase{ public int x_; public ABase() { x_ = 0; }}class AChild : ABase // this one is derived from ABase{ public int y_; public AChild() { y_ = 0; }}class BBase // another base class{ public int z_; public BBase() { z_ = 0; }}class BChild : BBase // derived from BBase{ public ABase obj_; public BChild(ABase obj) { obj_ = obj; }}Now let's say that I have the objectBBase t = new BChild(new AChild());I want to use BinaryFormatter.Serialize() and BinaryFormatter.Deserialize() methods to serialize object t into a stream and deserialize it afterwards.My question is whether serialization is deep or shallow, whether virtualism is preserved after serialization/deserialization of the object, and what I should do to make serialization working properly. More specifically, I am concerned if my application will understand that the deserialized object is actually of type BChild and not BBase and if it understands that, will it understand that obj_ variable of the deserialized object is of type AChild and not of ABase?Please help ASAP! Thanks a lot in advance!P.S. The variables x_, y_, z_ are just for classes to have something inside.

using System; using System.IO; using System.Runtime.Serialization; using System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary; [Serializable] class ABase // this is a base clase { public string x_; public ABase() { x_ = "I am class ABase"; } public virtual void print() { Console.WriteLine(x_); } } [Serializable] class AChild : ABase // this one is derived from ABase { public string y_; public AChild() { y_ = "I am class AChild"; } public override void print() { Console.WriteLine(y_); } } [Serializable] class BBase // another base class { public string z_; public BBase() { z_ = "I am class BBase"; } public virtual void print() { Console.WriteLine(z_); } } [Serializable] class BChild : BBase // derived from BBase { public ABase obj_; public string w_; public BChild(ABase obj) { w_ = "I am class BChild"; obj_ = obj; } public override void print() { Console.WriteLine(w_); obj_.print(); } } static void testSerialization() { BBase t = new BChild(new AChild()); BinaryFormatter x = new BinaryFormatter(); Stream stream = File.Open("c:\\serialize.txt", FileMode.Create); x.Serialize(stream,t); stream.Close(); stream = File.Open("c:\\serialize.txt", FileMode.Open); BBase u = x.Deserialize(stream) as BBase; u.print(); } static void Main(string[] args) { System.Console.WriteLine("Starting testing..."); // put test code here testSerialization(); // test code ends before this comment System.Console.WriteLine("Testing has been finished...Press any key to continue."); System.Console.ReadLine(); }Actually it works (at least to some degree)! The output is below:Starting testing...I am class BChildI am class AChildTesting has been finished...Press any key to continue.

/*My question is whether serialization is deep or shallow, whether virtualism is preserved after serialization/deserialization of the object, and what I should do to make serialization working properly. More specifically, I am concerned if my application will understand that the deserialized object is actually of type BChild and not BBase and if it understands that, will it understand that obj_ variable of the deserialized object is of type AChild and not of ABase? */THave you tried implementing the IDeserialisationCallback interface?class Person: IDeserialisationCallback {public OnDeserialization(object o){ // Your code}}I have the feeling that this might do the job.DanielEdit: this interface is standard so might be the best approach?

Hi Tiger,Serilaization is deep (each field in your class must also be serializable or you will get errors when you try and serialise).In you example above if you serialise a AChild even though it was contained in a variable defined as type ABase you will create a serialised object that *is* of type AChild.All you need to do is add the Serializable attribute to your classes i.e.[Serializable()]public class Test1{ ......}to load and save look at the System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary namespace.rgds,Russ