To serialize or not to serialize

[squirrelly1]

I have some array data that I am currently putting into a string for exportation into a file... This process has worked just fine for me in the past, but it doesn't look to professional when someone decides that they want to go poking around in my export files.

My question is...

Is the serialization of objects that I think I have read about pretty simple to accomplish?

What does the data look like in the file (or wherever I put it) when it has been serialized?

Is it worth it? (I guess I have to decide this one for myself, but I *almost* always appreciate the comments and insight that you fine programmers have to offer )

Thanks in advance,

Squirrelly1

[Edneeis]

You can serialize to XML or to Binary data. You don't have much control over the layout of the binary data but it's mainly used to persist the data in an object. In other words it is meant more for temporary storage and would go right back into a class/object later. XML can be a little bit more difficult to serialize to/from or at least has a few requirements but it is very flexible on the layout and the data is just an xml file like any other so it can be used for just about anything.

[squirrelly1]

Yeah, you're right.

I decided to change the way I'm coding things and start using more classes. I figure I may as well since VB.Net has full OOP capabilities now...

As far as the serialization of the objects goes, do you (or anyone else) know of any good tutorials or places I can get started with this?

Thanks again,

Squirrelly1