XmlArray

XmlArray is a concept used in XML serialization to describe the representation of a collection of items as an XML structure. Typically, a collection such as a list or array is serialized as a wrapper element that contains multiple item elements. The wrapper element is often referred to as the XmlArray, and each repeated element inside corresponds to an individual item. This approach makes the structure explicit and readable, and it can aid interoperability when exchanging XML data with other systems.

In the context of the .NET framework, the XmlArray concept is implemented through attributes such as XmlArrayAttribute and XmlArrayItemAttribute. The XmlArrayAttribute controls the name of the wrapper element around the collection, while the XmlArrayItemAttribute specifies the name of each item element. For example, a collection of Order objects might be serialized as an Orders wrapper containing multiple Order elements. This explicit wrapper helps distinguish a collection from a single item and allows customization of element names to fit a given XML schema.

Across other XML serialization frameworks, the same idea is commonly realized by using a parent element to wrap the collection and child elements for the items. Some frameworks also offer options to render items unwrapped or to customize naming to match schema requirements.

Limitations of the XmlArray approach include dependence on element naming, schema compatibility, and the need for each item to be serializable. The concept is most closely associated with .NET’s XML serialization facilities, though similar patterns appear in various languages and tools. See also XML serialization, XmlArrayAttribute, XmlArrayItemAttribute, XmlSerializer.