I have a load of classes and I need to generate an XML schema for these classes.
The easiest way I can think to do this is to create the classes, serialize as XML and then run XSD on this XML.
However, if I don't set the properties of a class, no XML node is created and therefore the XSD doesn't pick it up.
Is there a way for me to tell the XML serializer to serialize ALL properties of a class, rather than just the ones that have values set?
Hopeful, more than expecting! Duncan
Sure. Implement IXmlSerializable and you have complete control.
Also, I am sure you already know there are a couple different ways to parse/validate Xml… and since you are on the Microsoft platform… these tools (available on MSDN) come in handy (auto generate C# code) if you decide to serialize/deserialize to/from a schema: xsd.exe and xsdObjectGen.exe (more options).
Use metadata attribute
[XmlElement(IsNullable=true)]
It will, however, add extra attribute xsi:nil="true" to the serialized output, if the field is null.
XSD.EXE can generate schemas from an assembly. Just specify the /type switch.