Hi,

I send XML packages to a another machine. On this moment I use a TCP listener and TCP client to do this. First I serialize my object to XML and after that I send it. The server then deserializes the object and uses it.

It seems like this takes a long time and I have problems with special characters. I also would like to have more data in one package than just the object, like a codenumber and some other parameters. Next to that it would be great if there was some error checking on the object.

I heard about SOAP and lookt for information during google sessions. It seems like that could solve my problem. But somehow the sites that are talking about it are for webdevelopers and I'm developing local software.

So basicaly my question is:
What's the best, most reliable and fastest way to send an object over the net?

Thanx in advance, koeno

Well, the all-the-way fast way is to have the basic structure of the object at both the send and the receive location, and only send the data. At the receive end, use those data to align the local description of the object with the sate of that class of object at the sending side.

You could serialize the object to a file that both ends have access to, then retrieve that serialization at the receiving end. All you would have to send would be the location and name of the file. you could put more into that file, if you desired. or you could put more than one file, each holding a specific category of data.

Usually, if you really want speed, you have to re-invent the wheel. Processes like serialization are robust, and able to handle all contingencies, but that makes them (usually) less than optimal for any specific task.