How to use XMLSerializer to post to a https url

Question

I have XML generated using the helper class generated by using XSD.EXE against a schema.

I can serialize the xml successfully to a file using:

 

XmlSerializer ser = new XmlSerializer(typeof(MessageType));

 

TextWriter w = new StreamWriter(@"c:\ss.xml");

ser.Serialize(w, msg);

w.Close();

What I need to do is POST this (it's not SOAP) to an https url.  Then I need to retrieve the response and decode it using the helper classes. 

I looked at MSDN documentation for the XmlSerializer but it discusses SOAP.

This ought to be really simple - but I can't find a code example.

Anyone have a sample?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Go look at the HttpWebRequest class.

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John Saunders
WCF is Web Services. They are not two separate things.
Use WCF for All New Web Service Development, instead of legacy ASMX or obsolete WSE
Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

Answer 2

Thanks John,

That's the right answer I think.  Getting the response back into something I can use with the helper classes is also a challenge.  Once I get the service to return some XML then I'll see if I am putting it in the right place.  I'll post my code after it works in hopes that will assist others.

Answer 3

Here's some working code.  I'll ask a separate question, however, in a minute:

            WebRequest req = WebRequest.Create("https://myurl");

            req.Method = "POST";

            req.ContentType = "text/xml";

            Stream dataStream = req.GetRequestStream();

            ser.Serialize(dataStream, msg);

            dataStream.Close();

            WebResponse response = req.GetResponse();

            status = ((HttpWebResponse)response).StatusDescription;

            dataStream = response.GetResponseStream();

            StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(dataStream);

            // Read the content.

            MessageType rsp = new MessageType();

            XmlSerializer serr = new XmlSerializer(typeof(MessageType));

            rsp = (MessageType)serr.Deserialize(reader);

            reader.Close();

 

Answer 4

FYI, you need a few using blocks:

    WebRequest req = WebRequest.Create("https://myurl");
    req.Method = "POST";
    req.ContentType = "text/xml";

    using (Stream dataStream = req.GetRequestStream())
    {
        XmlSerializer ser = new XmlSerializer(typeof (MessageType));
        ser.Serialize(dataStream, msg);
    }

    using (WebResponse response = req.GetResponse())
    {
        string status = ((HttpWebResponse) response).StatusDescription;
        using (Stream responseStream = response.GetResponseStream())
        {
            using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(responseStream))
            {
                XmlSerializer serr = new XmlSerializer(typeof (MessageType));
                MessageType rsp = (MessageType) serr.Deserialize(reader);
            }
        }
    }

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John Saunders
WCF is Web Services. They are not two separate things.
Use WCF for All New Web Service Development, instead of legacy ASMX or obsolete WSE
Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects