XmlSerializer.Deserialize and DateTime problem

[Sebastian]

Hi,

I've got and XSD schema, with dates using this type:

<xs:simpleType name="DateType">
<xs:restriction base="xs:date">
<xs:pattern value="\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}" />
</xs:restriction>
</xs:simpleType>
I made both dataset and (xmlSerializable) classes
using xsd.exe and that xsd file. Now when I collect
data into dataset, and write it as xml dates
(DataTime type in DataSet) are saved in other format:
YYYY-MM-DDT00:00:00.0000000+02:00 ('s' format?)

Now the problem is, that XmlSerializer can't deserialize
such xml into objects, instances of classes generated by
xsd.exe using the same xsd file.

What I get is:

System.InvalidOperationException: There is an error in
XML document (3, 25). ---> System.FormatException: String
was not recognized as a valid DateTime.
at System.DateTime.ParseExact(String s, String[]
formats, IFormatProvider provider, DateTimeStyles style)
at System.Xml.XmlConvert.ToDateTime(String s, String[]
formats)
at
System.Xml.Serialization.XmlCustomFormatter.ToDateTime
(String value, String[] formats)
at System.Xml.Serialization.XmlCustomFormatter.ToDate
(String value)
at
System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializationReader.ToDate
(String value)
at
Microsoft.Xml.Serialization.GeneratedAssembly.XmlSerializa
tionReader1.Read2_Report(Boolean isNullable, Boolean
checkType)
at
Microsoft.Xml.Serialization.GeneratedAssembly.XmlSerializa
tionReader1.Read1_Response(Boolean isNullable, Boolean
checkType)
at
Microsoft.Xml.Serialization.GeneratedAssembly.XmlSerializa
tionReader1.Read7_Response()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer.Deserialize
(XmlReader xmlReader, String encodingStyle)
at System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer.Deserialize
(XmlReader xmlReader)
at xsd_ds_serialize_to_object.Form1.button3_Click
(Object sender, EventArgs e) in c:\documents and
settings\sebastian\my documents\visual studio
projects\xsd_ds_test\xsd_ds_serialize_to_object\form1.cs:l
ine 243

Funny, but System.Xml.XmlConvert.ToDateTime() works fine
with that format. What "String[] formats" are passed to
XmlConvert.ToDateTime by XmlCustomFormatter?

So, am I able to influence the datetime format dataset
is using while saving xml? (WriteXML) Tried dataset's
Locale.DateTimeFormat, but most properties are read
only :-( I assume that ds uses SortableDateTimePattern?

Or, how do I explain XmlSerializer, that the date time
produced with WriteXML is valid date?

Any help appreciated,

Sebastian

[Dino Chiesa [MSFT]]

One way to handle this is to decorate the DateTime member with
[System.Xml.Serialization.XmlIgnore]

This tells the serializer to not serialize or de-serialize it at all.

Then, add an additional property to the class, called, for example
DateString. It might be defined as
public string DateString {
set { ... }
get { ... }
}

Then you can serialize and de-ser the DateString in the get/set logic:

public string DateString {
set {
// parse value here - de-ser from your chosen format
// use constructor, eg, Timestamp= new System.DateTime(....);
// or use one of the static Parse() overloads of System.DateTime()
}
get {
return Timestamp.ToString("yyyy.MM.dd"); // serialize to whatever format
you want.
}
}

Within the get and set you are manipulating the value of the Date member,
but you are doing it with custom logic. The serialized property need not
be a string of course, but that is a simple way to do it. You could also
ser/de-ser using an int, as with the unix epoch, for example.

-Dino

"Sebastian" <b...@NOSPAM.gazeta.pl> wrote in message
news:074f01c32e7f$a630b4c0$a101...@phx.gbl...

[Sebastian]

Hi,

>One way to handle this is to decorate the DateTime
member with
> [System.Xml.Serialization.XmlIgnore]
>
>This tells the serializer to not serialize or de-
serialize it at all.
>
>Then,

[...]

Well, it works :-) Thanks for replying.

I might also add expression based string field in
dataset, and do the same magic (disable saving to
xml the original datetime, and savin' the string
field), am I right?

The question that still bothers me is, why doesn't
the standard way work?

Why, XmlConvert.ToDateTime(String s, String[] formats)
fails when called by XmlCustomFormatter.ToDate()?
What formats does it pass to XmlConvert?
(And XmlConvert.TodateTime(String d) works fine when
called by me manually)

But, maybe I shouldn't be that curious :-D

Bye

[Dino Chiesa [MSFT]]

> Well, it works :-) Thanks for replying.

Glad to help.

> I might also add expression based string field in
> dataset, and do the same magic (disable saving to
> xml the original datetime, and savin' the string
> field), am I right?

Yes, I think so. why not? but I'm not sure I understand what you intend.
Anyway, by now you have probably tested it and found that it works ;)

> The question that still bothers me is, why doesn't
> the standard way work?

I don't know the answer to this one.

> But, maybe I shouldn't be that curious :-D

Don't worry, be happy.

> Bye