Serializing a class: "Serialize" or "DataContractAttribute"?

Question

What's the difference between using Serialize or DataContractAttribute while you want to make a class seriallizable? Compiler warns: Type 'MyNAmeSpace.MyClass' cannot be serialized. Consider marking it with the DataContractAttribute attribute and marking all of its members you want serialized with the DataMemberAttribute attribute. If the type is a collection consider marking it with the CollectionDataContractAttribute. See the Microsoft .NET Framework documentation for other supported types . Why doesno't it suggest using [Serialize] attribute? P.S. the class is not used for any web service. It's a normal class which I want to write to DB.

Bryian Tan · Answer

Out-of-process solutions use a Windows NT service (aspnet_state.exe) or a SQL Server table to store the session values. The session state therefore is held outside the ASP.NET worker process and an extra layer of code is needed to serialize and deserialize it to and from the actual storage medium. This operation takes place whenever a request is processed and subsequently must be highly optimized. You can read more from https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa479041.aspx

Nilesh Shah · Answer

Yes it is storing to DB.

Bryian Tan · Answer

Is the application storing the session state in the database?