WCF DataContract with readonly properties

Question

I'm trying to return a complex type from a service method in WCF. I'm using C# and .NET 4. This complex type is meant to be invariant (the same way .net strings are). Furthermore, the service only returns it and never receives it as an argument.

If I try to define only getters on properties I get a run time error. I guess this is because no setters causes serialization to fail. Still, I think this type should be invariant.

Example:

[DataContract]
class A 
{
   [DataMember]
   int ReadOnlyProperty {get; private set;}
}

The service fails to load due to a problem with serialization.

Is there a way to make readonly properties on a WCF DataContract? Perhaps by replacing the serializer? If so, how? If not, what would you suggest for this problem?

Thanks,
Asaf

Answer 1

put [DataMember] on backing field, you won't need a setter.

Answer 2

Make your setter public to satisfy the serializer, but just don't do anything on the setter. Not 'purist' but gets it done

public string MyProperty 
{
    get {
        return this._myProperty
    }
    set {}
}