Namespace for [DataContract]

Question

I can't find the namespace to use for [DataContract] and [DataMember] elements. According to what I've found, it seems that adding the following should be enough, but in my case it is not.

using System;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

Here is a snippet of my code:

using System;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

namespace MyNamespace {

    [DataContract]
    public class Tuple<T1, T2> {
            // A custom implementation of a Tuple
            //...
            //...
        }
}

And the error I get:

The type or namespace name 'DataContract' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

Am I not using the right namespaces?

Using VS 2017, compiler error, can't build, no message in errors list or any indication at all. No syntax coloring of DataContract, nothing. — dudeNumber4, May 05 '17 at 12:50
@dudeNumber4 Right click on your project Add/Reference. In the dialog find System.Runtime.Serialization and make checkbox cheked state. Then Press "Ok" — Sim Mak, May 22 '17 at 21:57

score 444 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 30 '18 at 14:03

444

DataContractAttribute Class is in the System.Runtime.Serialization namespace.

You should add a reference to System.Runtime.Serialization.dll. That assembly isn't referenced by default though. To add the reference to your project you have to go to References -> Add Reference in the Solution Explorer and add an assembly reference manually.

edited Apr 30 '18 at 14:03

Daniel

127
7

answered Sep 13 '11 at 12:25

CD..

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61

....and that assembly isn't referenced by default, so you have to go to `References -> Add Reference` in Solution Explorer and add an assembly reference... – marc_s Sep 13 '11 at 12:27
11

That's it, I didn't have the reference in my solution! I thought that if a reference were needed, it would get me an error on the line `using System.Runtime.Serialization;`. I guess I was wrong :) – Otiel Sep 13 '11 at 12:30
3

Ugh. Why on Earth doesn't it error on the `using` statement? That seems to make sense to me. – Yatrix May 21 '13 at 12:58
8

I guess that's because another dll is using that namespace (otherwise you would get an error) – Gui Jun 09 '13 at 15:27
4

Thank you! None of Microsoft's example doc mentions this. – BobRodes Dec 22 '13 at 06:50
If you are using VisualStudio you'll need to exit VS and reopen it before it will recognize newly referenced packages. – GreySage Oct 31 '19 at 22:02

score 7 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 25 '15 at 12:29

7

In visual studio for .Net 4.0 framework,

Try to add new reference to project.
On .Net Tab, Search System.Runtime.Serialization.
Now, you can use using System.Runtime.Serialization. And the error will not be shown.

answered Nov 25 '15 at 12:29

Md Kauser Ahmmed

311
3
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score 7 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 13 '11 at 12:26

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.runtime.serialization.datacontractattribute.aspx

DataContractAttribute is in System.Runtime.Serialization namespace and you should reference System.Runtime.Serialization.dll. It's only available in .Net >= 3

score 5 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 13 '12 at 16:02

5

[DataContract] and [DataMember] attribute are found in System.ServiceModel namespace which is in System.ServiceModel.dll .

System.ServiceModel uses the System and System.Runtime.Serialization namespaces to serialize the datamembers.

answered Dec 13 '12 at 16:02

Jatin Khurana

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score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 15 '19 at 20:42

1

I solved this problem by adding C:\Program Files (x86)\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework.NETFramework\v4.0\System.Runtime.Serialization.dll in the reference

answered Apr 15 '19 at 20:42

RotatingWheel

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score 0 · Answer 6 · edited Mar 04 '14 at 01:27

0

First, I add the references to my Model, then I use them in my code. There are two references you should add:

using System.ServiceModel;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

then, this problem was solved in my program. I hope this answer can help you. Thanks.

edited Mar 04 '14 at 01:27

Barney Szabolcs

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answered Mar 04 '14 at 01:06

user3342169

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Namespace for [DataContract]

6 Answers6

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