C# – XmlSerializer – There was an error reflecting type

.net-2.0cnetserializationxml

Using C# .NET 2.0, I have a composite data class that does have the [Serializable] attribute on it. I am creating an XMLSerializer class and passing that into the constructor:

XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(DataClass));

I am getting an exception saying:

There was an error reflecting type.

Inside the data class there is another composite object. Does this also need to have the [Serializable] attribute, or by having it on the top object, does it recursively apply it to all objects inside?

Best Answer

Look at the inner exception that you are getting. It will tell you which field/property it is having trouble serializing.

You can exclude fields/properties from xml serialization by decorating them with the [XmlIgnore] attribute.

XmlSerializer does not use the [Serializable] attribute, so I doubt that is the problem.