What are the possible datatypes that can be return from asp.net webservice.

Question

What are the possible datatypes that can be return from asp.net webservice.

Answer 1

All primitives including String can be returned with no special code requried. Otherwise you must use data contracts (if you are using WCF) or more powerful XML serialization API.

Answer 2

If you mean asmx, then:

• pretty much any of the inbuilt primitives and standard data types
• Stream / byte[]
• arrays, or lists / collections with obvious semantics
• xml-serializable types:
  • public types with public parameterless constructors and public properties/fields (optionally attributed for more control)
  • public types that implement IXmlSerializable

For WCF, add data-contracts to that list.