convert a complex structure to byte array in c#

Question

This is my structs' definition

    public struct SPMSifHdr
    {
        public UInt32 ui32Synch1;
        public UInt32 ui32Synch2;
        public ushort ui16Version;
        public UInt32 ui32Cmd;
        public UInt32 ui32BodySize;
    };

    struct SPMSifReturnKcdLclMsg
    {
        public SPMSifHdr hdr1;
        public char ff;
        public char[] Dta;
        public bool Debug;
        public char[] szOpId;
        public char[] szOpFirst;
        public char[] szOpLast;
    }

How to convert struct SPMSifReturnKcdLclMsg to array of bytes to send via tcp/ip?
Forgive my language, I can't use english very well :p

Once the byte-converted struct comes to the other side of the TCP/IP channel, how do you want to convert it back ? Do both sides share the dll containing the struct definition ? — digEmAll
– digEmAll, Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 9:28
i just make the client program. the program should send the formatted data to an interface — Oscar Yuandinata
– Oscar Yuandinata, Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 9:33
So the tcp listener needs a way to understand the bytes. If you use the binary serialization the other side needs the assembly containing the struct definitions to be able to deserialize it. — digEmAll
– digEmAll, Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 9:39
@YkmLo, I would recommend XML Serialization or JSON serialization over binary serialization. You also need to consider version-ing your data-structures and/or serialization logic if there is possibility of server serving different version on clients! — VinayC
– VinayC, Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 9:42
@YkmLo: I agree with VinayC. You could also use protobuf serialization that is very small and fast. — digEmAll
– digEmAll, Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 9:48

alex.b · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-20 09:42:16Z

3

Socket socket = OpenSocket();
using (var stream = new NetworkStream(socket))
{
    var formatter = new BinaryFormatter();
    formatter.Serialize(stream, obj); 
}

EDIT:
Forgot to mention that your structs should be marked as Serializable

edited Mar 20, 2012 at 9:42

answered Mar 20, 2012 at 9:25

alex.b

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3 Comments

El Ronnoco Over a year ago

Do the structs need to be marked as Serializable for this to work?

digEmAll Over a year ago

@YkmLo: Just put [Serializable] attribute over the two struct definitions.

VinayC Over a year ago

I wouldn't recommend using binary formatter for byte conversion - its .NET proprietary serialization. Unless the code at receiving end is also .NET, you are probably rely on serialization format out-side your control. Even if the receiving part is .NET code then also one may need to add some kind of versioning logic...

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