Covert Normal Class To DataContract Class

Question

Hi ,

I have an n tier application that have interface, entities, biz layer ..etc .

I start reading about wcf to expose some methods as service .  

let say ihave a method something like  => public MyType Method1(MyType2 obj)  and i want to expose it,

i realized that i have to declare MyType2 as DataContract to enable passing it as parameter over service.

My question is : can i modified my MyType2  to be a DataContract so i can use it on my wcf service ,

is this will effect my normal component which usses  MyType2  as normal class ,

or will it effect any thing else like perfomance

Regards

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Matelin

Answer 1

It's technically possible, but not recommended.  If you need a web service, create a new layer that internally calls Method1 and wrapper the result in a DataContract. You could use AutoMapper (http://automapper.codeplex.com/) to avoid boring mapping.


Read Fredrik Normén 's blog post about putting your entities over the wire.
http://weblogs.asp.net/fredriknormen/archive/2009/10/31/distributing-domain-entities-over-the-wire.aspx

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Nordine Ben Bachir

Answer 2

Hi , i have read Fredrik Normén 's blog post and its really good one but i have one question :

i intend to build a new n tier application contains of data access layer , business(domain) ,and presentation mainly,

my presentation layer communicate to business directly(or thorough façade), 

i want this application to be service ready in case i want to integrate with any party,

so iam thinking of two options :

1) Great a layer above my business layer that expose my DTO's ,so both third parties and my presentation layer use it.

2) Create a stand alone application that expose DTO's to a third parties , and keep my business layer communicating with presentation layer .

my opinion to use the second one coz service layer will effect performance , and no need to hide my domain from presentation layer what do u think???

and one more thing for my personal knowledge 

Quote "It's technically possible, but not recommended"

Does it effect performance or not 

Thank for your help

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Matelin