Serializing an array in C#

Question

I always find very sophisticated way to serialize all kind of objects, lists and who knows, But I can't seem to find a simple way to serialize an array.

(I found one, but its serializing the array to a binary file, and I need to be able to edit the serialized file in any regular text editor [It's a language file, I need to give copies to my co-workers so they can translate the file into other languages/])

Answer 1

Assuming your array is an array of strings...

using (var stream = File.Create("file.xml")) {
    var serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(string[]));
    serializer.Serialize(stream, someArrayOfStrings);
}

Will create a simple XML file that is very easy to understand/modify. To deserialize it, use the Deserialize method.

Answer 2

Human readable? I'd go for JavaScriptSerializer; just:

string json = new JavaScriptSerializer().Serialize(arr);

Answer 3

It's a language file, I need to give copies to my co-workers so they can translate the file into other language

XML Serialization is ideal it sounds like based on the above statement