How to work with XML in C#

First of all you should have a look at MSDN:
LINQ to XML[^]
You will probably also like to have a look at:
Understanding C#: Simple LINQ to XML[^]
LINQ to XML[^]

If you're going to work with really large xml files, there is a SAX implementation available at: SAX for .NET[^]


Best regards
Espen Harlinn

There are different XML libraries in .NET. Here is a short overview:

1. Use System.Xml.XmlDocument class. It implements DOM interface; this way is the easiest and good enough if the size if the document is not too big.
   See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.xml.xmldocument.aspx[^].
2. Use the classes System.Xml.XmlTextWriter and System.Xml.XmlTextReader; this is the fastest way of reading, especially is you need to skip some data.
   See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.xml.xmlwriter.aspx[^], http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.xml.xmlreader.aspx[^].
3. Use the class System.Xml.Linq.XDocument; this is the most adequate way similar to that of XmlDocument, supporting LINQ to XML Programming.
   See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.xml.xmldocument.aspx[^], http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb387063.aspx[^].

Note that in many cases you don't need to work with XML directly. It can be done for you if you are using serialization. Please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serialization#.NET_Framework[^],
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/aa349369%28v=vs.90%29.aspx[^].

One of the most advanced and, at the same time, easiest to use serialization is based on Data Contract. Please see: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms733127.aspx[^].

Please see also my past answer where I advocate this approach:
How can I utilize XML File streamwriter and reader in my form application?[^],
Creating property files...[^].

—SA