How stable DataContractSerializer XML format is

Question

I'm working on WCF HTTP service which will be used by non-WCF compliant clients which raises requests as SOAP XML messages.

I wanted to include custom .NET types in operation contract method signature, custom type like own class Request/Response with few primitive type properties. They nicely serialized by WCF DataContract serializer so I would provide an sample of XML request/reponse to external client and wanted to document this format as public API request/response format. Is it safe to rely on XML format generated by DataContract serializer or it might change, if so - in which cases/circumstances?

Answer 1

WCF’s fundamental communication mechanism is SOAP, WCF-based applications can communicate with other software running in a variety of contexts.

Is it safe for external clients to rely on XML format generated by DataContract serializer

AFAK as I know it's safe for the simple reason it's based on open standard web protocol like

• SOAP for messaging

• WSDL for Metadata

• WS-Security, WS-Trust and WS-SecureConversation for security
• WS-ReliableMessaging for reliability
• WS-Coordination, WS-AtomicTransaction for transactions