Namespace for [DataContract]

233
votes

I can't find the namespace to use for [DataContract] and [DataMember] elements. According to what I've found, it seems that adding the following should be enough, but in my case it is not.

using System;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

Here is a snippet of my code:

using System;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

namespace MyNamespace {

    [DataContract]
    public class Tuple<T1, T2> {
            // A custom implementation of a Tuple
            //...
            //...
        }
}

And the error I get:

The type or namespace name 'DataContract' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

Am I not using the right namespaces?

6
c#wcfdatacontract
Using VS 2017, compiler error, can't build, no message in errors list or any indication at all. No syntax coloring of DataContract, nothing. - dudeNumber4
@dudeNumber4 Right click on your project Add/Reference. In the dialog find System.Runtime.Serialization and make checkbox cheked state. Then Press "Ok" - Sim Mak

6 Answers

438
votes

DataContractAttribute Class is in the System.Runtime.Serialization namespace.

You should add a reference to System.Runtime.Serialization.dll. That assembly isn't referenced by default though. To add the reference to your project you have to go to References -> Add Reference in the Solution Explorer and add an assembly reference manually.

7
votes

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.runtime.serialization.datacontractattribute.aspx

DataContractAttribute is in System.Runtime.Serialization namespace and you should reference System.Runtime.Serialization.dll. It's only available in .Net >= 3

6
votes

In visual studio for .Net 4.0 framework,

  1. Try to add new reference to project.
  2. On .Net Tab, Search System.Runtime.Serialization.
  3. Now, you can use using System.Runtime.Serialization. And the error will not be shown.
5
votes

[DataContract] and [DataMember] attribute are found in System.ServiceModel namespace which is in System.ServiceModel.dll .

System.ServiceModel uses the System and System.Runtime.Serialization namespaces to serialize the datamembers.

0
votes

First, I add the references to my Model, then I use them in my code. There are two references you should add:

using System.ServiceModel;
using System.Runtime.Serialization;

then, this problem was solved in my program. I hope this answer can help you. Thanks.

0
votes

I solved this problem by adding C:\Program Files (x86)\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework.NETFramework\v4.0\System.Runtime.Serialization.dll in the reference