How to: Read Class Data from an XML File

This example uses the Deserialize method of the XmlSerializerclass to read data that is stored in an object in a sample file that is named IntroToVCS.xml.

Example

public class Book
{
    public string title;

    static void Main()
    {
        Book introToVCS  = new Book();
        System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer reader = new
        System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer(introToVCS.GetType());

        // Read the XML file.
        System.IO.StreamReader file= 
            new System.IO.StreamReader("c:\\IntroToVCS.xml");

        // Deserialize the content of the file into a Book object.
        introToVCS = (Book) reader.Deserialize(file);
        System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.Show(introToVCS.title,
            "Book Title");
    }
}

Compiling the Code

You can compile the example directly at a command prompt, or paste the code into a console application by using the Visual Studio IDE. In the latter case, you must reference the System.Windows.Forms.dll file.

Robust Programming

The following condition(s) may cause an exception:

• The path name may be too long.

See Also

Concepts

Designing a User Interface in Visual C#

Other Resources

Accessing and Displaying Data

Visual C# Guided Tour