C# Get FieldInfos/PropertyInfos in the original order?

Question

How can I get a Types FieldInfos/PropertyInfos as a MemberInfo array in the order they are laid out in the class?

class Test {     public bool First { get; set; }     public int Second;     public string Third { get; set; } } 

Answer 1

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ch9714z3.aspx

The GetFields method does not return fields in a particular order, such as alphabetical or declaration order. Your code must not depend on the order in which fields are returned, because that order varies.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/kyaxdd3x.aspx

The GetProperties method does not return properties in a particular order, such as alphabetical or declaration order. Your code must not depend on the order in which properties are returned, because that order varies.

You would need to define order yourself, perhaps with attributes:

class Test {     [Order(1)] public bool First { get; set; }     [Order(2)] public int Second;     [Order(3)] public string Third { get; set; } } ... [AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Property | AttributeTargets.Field,      Inherited = true, AllowMultiple = false)] [ImmutableObject(true)] public sealed class OrderAttribute : Attribute {     private readonly int order;     public int Order { get { return order; } }     public OrderAttribute(int order) {this.order = order;} } 

Answer 2

Look at Mono.Cecil

If the Serializer is able to do source ordering it won't be because of the PDB debug info.

I assume reflection loses the ordering because it will (potentially) return a mix of direct and inherited members. There is no 'correct' ordering of that mix.

Mono.Cecil will let you get directly at the structures in the managed assembly, as well as at the CIL code. Mono.cecil rocks big time and will not eat your puppies. It is the fastestest method to analyze your assemblies, and you don't even have to have them loaded.

Mono.Cecil goes on to write a new assembly if you wish, but this propaganda is getting way off-topic.

Go get Mono.Cecil