Serialize a class before sending with socket

[zvivered]

Hi,

I have the following class:

[Serializable()]
    class Class1
    {
        private int a;
        private int b;
        private int[] c;
        public int Init ()
        {
            a = 5;
            b = 6;
            c = new int[3];
            c[0] = 1;
            return 0;
        }
        public byte[] Serialize()  
        {  
             BinaryFormatter bin = new BinaryFormatter();  
             MemoryStream mem = new MemoryStream();  
             bin.Serialize(mem, this);  
             return mem.GetBuffer();  
         }  
    }

The following code calls the Serialize method:

namespace ConsoleApplication1
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Class1 c= new Class1();
            c.Init ();
            byte[] buffer = c.Serialize();
         }
    }
}

But buffer does not contains only the data but also information for the deserialize process. I do not need it.

How can I write a "non default" Serialize that will do the work ?
Can I avoid unsafe code for this purpose ?
The exact size of data that must be sent is 2x4 + 3x4 = 20 bytes;

Thanks.

[boudino]

If you want custom serialization, implement ISerializable interface.

[zvivered]

Hi,

Do you have any sample code ?

Thanks.

[TheGreatCthulhu]

The MSDN article on the ISerializable interface contains explanations and an implementation example.

[zvivered]

I tried the following code to convert a struct to array of bytes:

struct PcToTgtIsAlive
    {
        int a;
        int b;
        int c;
        public void Init()
        {
            a = 1;
            b = 2;
            c = 3;
        }
    }

    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            PcToTgtIsAlive p = new PcToTgtIsAlive();
            p.Init();
            int rc=Marshal.SizeOf (p);
            IntPtr pnt = Marshal.AllocHGlobal(Marshal.SizeOf(p));
            Marshal.StructureToPtr(p, pnt, false);
            byte []dest=new byte[12];
            Marshal.Copy(pnt, dest, 0, Marshal.SizeOf(p));
         }
    }

It works. Is there a problem using this code ?

Thanks.

[TheGreatCthulhu]

I'd prefer using streams.
The BinaryReader and BinaryWriter classes "wrap" around a FileStream, and enable you to have much more control on what you're serializing/deserializing, and in what order.

Read this:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/36b93480.aspx
And after that get familiar with read/write methods of BinaryReader/BinaryWriter, respectively.

[zvivered]

Hi,

This works great when you send/receive messages from other PCs running C#.

The serialize method inserts into the stream some bytes that are not part of the message itself. Those bytes are required for the deseriallize process.

But if I send message to a vxWorks or linux system, those extra bytes will cause problems.

Thanks.