CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#
user2503766
user2503766

Reputation: 31

Best way to load class from database (C#)

I have following scenario: I have say a Vehicle class that has several fields for each vehicle component: 

public WheelBase Wheels;
public EngineBase Engine;
public TrainBase DriveTrain;

For each car component there are several classes inheriting from the base class, for example we may have: V8Engine : EngineBase, V6Engine : EngineBase, I6Engine : EngineBase, and so on.

If I want to save a car's loadout in a standard database (such as a text file), and when I need to load a car I need to know which "subtype" of component should be loaded. For example I want to load a car that has a V6Engine : EngineBase, SummerTireWheel : WheelBase, ManualTrain : TrainBase.

What's the best way to store and retrieve this information? The only way I can think of is save the name of the "subtype" in the database and use a group of switches to create the correct type of component, such as:

switch(EngineType)
{
  case "V8Engine" : 
    Engine = new V8Engine();
    break;
  case "V6Engine" :
    Engine = new V6Engine();
    break;
  case "I6Engine" :
    Engine = new I6Engine();
    break;
}

This method certainly works but I feel it's very ugly. Are there more elegant ways to handle this type of scenario?

Upvotes: 3

Views: 430

Answers (1)

AsfK
AsfK

Reputation: 3476

I think the best way to do this it's with XML serialization and deserializtion

XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(List<MyClass>));

using(FileStream stream = File.OpenWrite("filename"))
{
    List<MyClass> list = new List<MyClass>();
    serializer.Serialize(stream, list);
}

using(FileStream stream = File.OpenRead("filename"))
{
    List<MyClass> dezerializedList = 
        (List<MyClass>) serializer.Deserialize(stream);
}

Also see this link: XML - Can not deserialize after serialize (How to serialization and deserialization with inheritance)

Upvotes: 1

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