How to Deserialize an XML Array into an Object List in C# Using Reflection

Learn how to handle XML deserialization in C# when arrays are involved, using reflection to dynamically map XML nodes to object properties.
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How to Deserialize an XML Array into an Object List in C# Using Reflection

XML deserialization can sometimes present challenges, especially when dealing with more complex data structures, such as arrays. One common scenario involves having to deserialize an XML document into an object reflecting a list property. In this post, we’ll address a specific problem faced while deserializing an XML array into a List<string> in C# .

Understanding the Problem

Consider a scenario where you have an XML document structured to represent a Student object. The XML includes a Hobbies element that features multiple child items. The objective is to successfully convert this XML into a corresponding C# object. Here's what the relevant class and XML look like:

The Student Class

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The XML Structure

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The Original Issue

The intended implementation includes a method to deserialize XML nodes into a Student object. However, the presence of the Hobbies array results in an issue when trying to set this property as it expects a List<string> but only receives a single string for each concatenated hobby like ReadingSingingTennis.

The Solution

To handle this scenario correctly, we need to modify the deserialization logic to recognize when a property is a list, and then populate that list appropriately. Below is the updated function that utilizes reflection to create and fill the list when encountering the hobbies.

Updated Deserialize Method

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of Key Changes

Check Node Type: The method now checks the type attribute of the child node. If it’s a list, we proceed to handle it differently.

Create List Instance: Using Activator.CreateInstance(), we instantiate the list dynamically — this allows flexibility depending on the property type.

Add Items to List: For each child item under Hobbies, the Add method of the list is called using reflection, effectively populating the list with individual hobbies.

Final Thoughts

When working with XML deserialization, it’s crucial to pay special attention to the data structure you are mapping to. Using reflection can simplify this by allowing dynamic access to properties. For more complex XML structures, consider using recursive logic to navigate through nested properties.

By applying these strategies, you can ensure a smooth deserialization process, transforming even the most intricate XML documents into C# objects seamlessly.