What is the difference between binary and XML serialization?

💡 Concept: Binary vs XML Serialization

Binary and XML serialization are two formats used to convert objects to storable or transmittable data streams, with different characteristics.

📘 Quick Intro

Binary serialization converts objects into compact binary format; XML serialization converts objects into human-readable XML.

🧠 Analogy

Binary serialization is like compressing files for storage efficiency, while XML serialization is like printing readable instructions for humans.

🔧 Technical Explanation

💾 Binary serialization is compact and faster but not human-readable.
📄 XML serialization is verbose but human-readable and interoperable.
⚙️ Binary serialization preserves full object state including private members.
🛠️ XML serialization typically serializes public properties only.
🔄 Use binary for performance; XML for interoperability and debugging.

🎯 Use Cases

✅ Binary serialization for local storage or fast remoting.
✅ XML serialization for web services and configuration files.
✅ Interoperability between different systems.
✅ Scenarios requiring human-readable data.

💻 Code Example


using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary;
using System.Xml.Serialization;

[Serializable]
public class Person {
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public int Age { get; set; }
}

// Binary Serialization
var person = new Person { Name = "Bob", Age = 40 };
using (var stream = new FileStream("person.dat", FileMode.Create)) {
    var formatter = new BinaryFormatter();
    formatter.Serialize(stream, person);
}

// XML Serialization
var xmlSerializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(Person));
using (var writer = new StreamWriter("person.xml")) {
    xmlSerializer.Serialize(writer, person);
}

❓ Interview Q&A

Q1: What is binary serialization?
A: Converting objects into compact binary format.

Q2: What is XML serialization?
A: Converting objects into XML format.

Q3: Which is faster?
A: Binary serialization is faster.

Q4: Which is human-readable?
A: XML serialization.

Q5: Can private members be serialized in XML?
A: No, only public members.

Q6: Use case for binary serialization?
A: Performance-sensitive local storage.

Q7: Use case for XML serialization?
A: Web services and config files.

Q8: Can both serialize the same object?
A: Yes, but differently.

Q9: Which serialization preserves more data?
A: Binary serialization.

Q10: Is XML serialization interoperable?
A: Yes, widely used for interoperability.

📝 MCQs

Q1. What is binary serialization?

Compact binary format
Text format
XML format
JSON format

Q2. What is XML serialization?

Binary format
XML format
JSON format
YAML format

Q3. Which serialization is faster?

XML serialization
Binary serialization
JSON serialization
All same

Q4. Which serialization is human-readable?

Binary serialization
XML serialization
JSON serialization
None

Q5. Can private members be serialized in XML?

Yes
No
Sometimes
Always

Q6. Use case for binary serialization?

Performance storage
Text files
Configuration
None

Q7. Use case for XML serialization?

Local storage
Web services
Encryption
Compression

Q8. Can both serialize the same object?

No
Yes
Only binary
Only XML

Q9. Which preserves more data?

XML serialization
Binary serialization
JSON serialization
YAML serialization

Q10. Is XML serialization interoperable?

No
Yes
Sometimes
Never

💡 Bonus Insight

Choosing between binary and XML serialization depends on needs like performance or readability.

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