Which way to convert to xml

[JJ]

I've got an n-layer application that fetches data from an SQL database using
stored procedures.
This information is read into various classes which represent a hierachical
structure:.

eg.

public class Page : Base_Page

{

private int _parentPageID;

public int ParentPageID

{

get { return _parentPageID; }

set { _parentPageID = value; }

}

private List<Page> _ChildPages = null;

public List<Page> ChildPages

{

get { return _ChildPages; }

set { _ChildPages = value; }

}


etc,

}



I have just realised that I really need the information to be represented in
XML format. It's hierachical data and I will want to display it in some
hierachical controls.

So, I am wondering which is the best route to take to achieve this.

I understand that I could rewrite the SQLPagesDataprovider in the Data
Access layer completely to read the data directly from the SQL stored
procedure into a dataset and make it hierachical then use GetXML() to
convert it to xml, but is there a way I can add a layer to convert the data
fetched by the current provider (into a new instance of the 'Page' Class)
into XML, without having to rewrite it? I may not always want the data in
XML format, after all.

Hopefully that all makes sense.

JJ

 

[Kevin Spencer]

Why does it need to be in XML? If it's hierarchical data, it's already
hierarchical data, whether it's in XML or populated in a class structure.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP

Help test our new betas,
DSI PrintManager, Miradyne Component Libraries:
http://www.miradyne.net

 

[JJ]

This is new ground for me (as you can see).

How can I make the hierarchical data be the object data source for, say, a
menu control?
Can you use such a class structure to act as a datasource for this control
without having to convert it to XML?

JJ

 

[Kevin Spencer]

It all depends on what process/class/Control is going to use the data, and
how that consumer is designed.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP

Help test our new betas,
DSI PrintManager, Miradyne Component Libraries:
http://www.miradyne.net