What is the difference between binary and XML serialization?
💡 Concept: Binary vs XML Serialization
Binary serialization converts objects to compact binary format, while XML serialization uses human-readable XML.
📘 Quick Intro
Binary is faster and smaller; XML is readable and interoperable.
🧠 Analogy
Binary is like a compressed file; XML is like a formatted document.
🔧 Technical Explanation
- Binary serialization is efficient but not human-readable.
- XML serialization is verbose but readable and interoperable.
- Binary requires [Serializable] attribute; XML requires parameterless constructor.
- XML supports partial serialization of public properties.
- Binary serialization can include private fields.
🎯 Use Cases
- ✅ Use binary for performance-critical scenarios.
- ✅ Use XML for interoperability and configuration files.
- ✅ Binary suitable for internal storage.
- ✅ XML suitable for web services and data exchange.
💻 Code Example
// Binary serialization
var formatter = new BinaryFormatter();
using (var stream = new FileStream(""data.bin"", FileMode.Create)) {
formatter.Serialize(stream, obj);
}
// XML serialization
var xmlSerializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(MyClass));
using (var writer = new StreamWriter(""data.xml"")) {
xmlSerializer.Serialize(writer, obj);
}
❓ Interview Q&A
Q1: What is binary serialization?
A: Converts object to binary format.
Q2: What is XML serialization?
A: Converts object to XML format.
Q3: Which serialization is faster?
A: Binary serialization.
Q4: Can XML serialization serialize private fields?
A: No.
Q5: Which requires [Serializable] attribute?
A: Binary serialization.
Q6: Is XML serialization human-readable?
A: Yes.
Q7: Use cases of binary serialization?
A: Internal storage, performance.
Q8: Use cases of XML serialization?
A: Web services, interoperability.
Q9: Does binary serialization support versioning?
A: Limited support.
Q10: Is XML serialization verbose?
A: Yes.
📝 MCQs
Q1. What is binary serialization?
- Converts object to binary format
- Converts to text
- Compresses data
- Encrypts data
Q2. What is XML serialization?
- Converts object to XML format
- Converts to binary
- Compresses data
- Encrypts data
Q3. Which is faster?
- XML serialization
- Binary serialization
- JSON serialization
- CSV serialization
Q4. Can XML serialize private fields?
- Yes
- No
- Sometimes
- Rarely
Q5. Which needs [Serializable] attribute?
- XML serialization
- Binary serialization
- JSON serialization
- None
Q6. Is XML human-readable?
- No
- Yes
- Sometimes
- Rarely
Q7. Use cases for binary serialization?
- Web services
- Internal storage
- Logging
- Testing
Q8. Use cases for XML serialization?
- Web services
- Internal storage
- Logging
- Testing
Q9. Does binary support versioning?
- Full
- Limited
- None
- Partial
Q10. Is XML verbose?
- No
- Yes
- Sometimes
- Rarely
💡 Bonus Insight
Choose serialization format based on performance needs and interoperability requirements.
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