Generate C# class from XSD file.

I have an existing C# file, generated a long time ago from XSD definition.

The XSD files were changed, and proxy class should be regenerated.

I've tried to use XML Schema Definition Tool (Xsd.exe) to generate C# class, but it returned the error: "The datatype is missing".
I've actually have two XSD files -outer and imported

Thanks to the post: XSD.exe is kicking my butt, man...redux , it pointed me to specify all necessary files on the commandline.

Note that name of generated file is combined from the files listed

I've created the batch file to be able to rerun it

CallXSD.BAT

@call "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\vcvarsall.bat" x86

xsd.exe outer.xsd imported.xsd /classes /l:cs /n:MyNamespace

rem rename outer_imported.cs as outer.cs

pause

By some reason the generated file created in some non-default encoding, which inserts 3 characters

ï»¿ in the beginning.It is a minor annoyance, but when I delete them, VS shows me a warning, that wrong encoding could prevent keeping history.

The next issue was that the new XSD(.Net Framework 2.0 and 3.5) generates C# classes differently with what 1.0/1.1 XSD.exe did.

In a few places 1.1 version generated custom collection of objects, but new XSD.EXE generates array of objects, so I have to change the calls to generated classes.

Another problem with XSD generated classes is that it disables step into debugging even on methods that you extended in partial classes by specifying DebuggerStepThroughAttribute for classes. Workarounds are described in XSD.exe and DebuggerStepThrough post. Issue reported to MS Feedback.

I should try An XSD to .NET language code class generator that adds real punch to Microsoft's XSD Tool.
or Sample Code Generator 1.4.2.1

Another issue was that authors of XSD file added xsd:choice elements and it creates extra ItemsChoiceType array and enum.I described how I addressed it in my post XmlChoiceCollection class to access XSD generated properties for choice XML elements

That's pity, that minor changes in XSD file causes different class properties to be generated and essential code changes to access the new properties. Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 12:28 AM Web Services/WCF | Back to top

Comments on this post: Generate C# class from XSD file.

# re: Generate C# class from XSD file.

Here's a good tutorial about how to create that classes, hope i can help :

http://www.stjhimy.com/2009/10/17/playing-around-with-xmls-and-xsds-net-smiles-for-you/

enjoy it.

Left by Jhimy on Oct 18, 2009 4:56 PM

i know this is an old post, but i just came across it.

"ï»¿ in the beginning"..

those are unicode byte order marks (BOM).. that's why visual studio complains about it when you delete them..

Left by Scott on Jul 21, 2010 4:11 PM

Why not try oxmlibrary? http://oxmlibrary.codeplex.com
It's better in my experience...

Left by Moshon on Dec 22, 2010 3:37 PM

the refered link @jhimy has moved to

http://www.affordablewebdeveloper.com/2009/10/17/playing-around-with-xmls-and-xsds-net-smiles-for-you/

Left by Raj on Feb 24, 2012 8:08 PM