Error using WCF and DataContractSerializer

Question

I have a fairly complex object model that I'm trying to serialize using WCF. I'm running into a problem where I can create a new instance on the server and return it to the client, then trying to pass that same object back or even serialize it using the DataContractSerializer throws an exception.

Test method Server.Service.Test.SerializationTest.TestFilingSerialization threw exception: System.Runtime.Serialization.SerializationException: There was an error deserializing the object of type MyNameSpace.MyObject. No set method for property '' in type ''

It's not giving me any info on a setter I'm supposedly missing, even though I've tried looking through the inheritance hierarchy for missing setters, I can't seem to get passed this. MyObject is a type of property on the object I'm trying to serialize, here's the funny part. In the setter for that property, I have code that looks like this:

set
{
    _backingField = value;
    _backingField.IsDirtyManager.SetIsDirty();
    NotifyPropertyChanged("MyProperty");
    if (!ContainsType(_backingField.GetType()))
    {
        Aggregates.Add(_backingField);
    }
}

If I comment out the Aggregates.Add it goes onto the next property and throws the same exception there, the kicker is, it get's through other properties with the same code, before it hits this one and dies, so I don't know what the problem could be.

Anyone have experience where the real error is, because the Property name and Type are not filled out in the exception so it seems like the error has to be something else. If I just create a new instance on the client I can deserialize and serialize no problems, so there's gotta be something I'm missing here. Any ideas on what to look for?

EDIT

I am literally doing only this:

1. Create instance
2. Serialize
3. De-serialize
4. Re-serialize
   1. Die here

Answer 1

I am assuming that the "Aggregates" is a list in your class.

If your class constructor does not create an Aggregates list, then it is null when you try to add items to it.

This does not match the error you are getting, but worth checking.

EDIT

In Visual Studio go into "Tools" -> "Options" -> "Debugging" -> "General" uncheck the option "Enable Just My Code". Then run it again, you may get a better error message.

Answer 2

You might see this if your setter is protected or privet. If it's not marked public the serializer will not be able to set it. How do you have your Aggregates collection exposed?

Answer 3

Ok, figured it out. The last developer had set the Order property on the DataMember attribute. It was the property with the order before the property in the error message that was causing the problems. There were a couple read-only properties that I missed in that class.