DataContractSerializer documentation

Question

I'm looking for a good in depth documentation/how-to for DataContractSerializer. Google turns up a number of related articles but nothing jumped out at me. (I'm not looking for the MSDN link)

A little clarification: I have never use serialization in .NET but have a working app that does that I need to update/modify. I have a fairly good Idea how I would do what I need to do if I had designed the serialization system but I'd rather not hunt trough a pile of MSDN class documentation looking for how they expect me to do it. The MSDN stuff works well for figuring out how something works (as does Google because at that point you have a specific term to Google) What I would like is a well done "here is how it works and this is all the details" document targeted at showing me how to fit the pieces together rather than figuring out how they work. I'm afraid what I'm looking for is a bit of an "I'll know it when I see it" thing, and I have never had good luck Googeling for that sort of thing.

I'm particularly interested in specific pages that people have used and personally found very useful. If you are thinking of something particular right now (before going to Google) that is what I'm looking for. If not...

Answer 1

This article is very helpful because it shows the benefits of DataContractSerializer in contrast to XmlSerializer. This was the first article I used when learning about WCF and DataContractSerializer.

Not to be disparaging but isn't a Google search the best way to get this kind of information? The most helpful and informative links will be on the first page as those will be the most linked and visited.

Answer 2

Try this MSDN link instead, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms733127.aspx

but I'd rather not hunt trough a pile of MSDN class documentation looking for how they expect me to do it.

It's Microsoft, what do you expect??? You ARE expected to use it the way they want it. :)