Return two-dimensional string from .net webservice

I'm having difficulties with this...

I need to return a two-dimensional string array from a web service....

It seems simple enough...

VB Code:

<WebMethod> Public Function ReturnMultiDimArray() As String()()
  Dim y As String()
  Dim z As String()
  Dim x As String()() = New String()() {y, z}
  Return x
End Function

However, I need to populate the two dimensions (y and z) dynamically from a datareader.

So I tried using ( :( ) arrayLists for y and z, and using to arraylist.ToArray method, but of course, I get an invalid cast exception when trying to build the 2-d string array:

VB Code:

Dim x As String()() = New String()() {y.ToArray, z.ToArray}

I saw StringDictionary, but that doesn't serialize... and I don't want to waste hours figuring out to implement Iserializable and implenets getObject....

Any ideas?

Well, I didn't solve the problem as I intended, however, I was able to return the data via XML, so I guess that is a feasible solution. I still would like to know if anyone had an easier way:

VB Code:

Imports System.Xml.Serialization
...
Sqlconnection1.Open()
 
        dr = Sqlcommand1.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection)
        While dr.Read
            x.Add(New SubmissionItem(dr(0), dr(1)))
        End While
        dr.Close()
 
        Dim sw As System.io.StringWriter = New System.IO.StringWriter
        Dim s As XmlSerializer = New XmlSerializer(GetType(SubmissionTypeArrayList))
        s.Serialize(sw, x)
        Return x

Classes created to use code above:

VB Code:

Imports System.Xml.Serialization
 
    <XmlRoot("SubmissionTypes")> Public Class SubmissionTypeArrayList
        Private _SubmissionList = New ArrayList
        Public CarsArrayList()
        <XmlArray("SubmissionList"), _
        XmlArrayItem("SubmissionTypeItem", GetType(SubmissionItem))> _
        Public Property SubmissionCollection() As ArrayList
            Get
                Return _SubmissionList
            End Get
            Set(ByVal Value As ArrayList)
                _SubmissionList = Value
            End Set
        End Property
 
        Public Property Submission(ByVal index As Integer)
            Get
                Return _SubmissionList(index)
            End Get
            Set(ByVal Value)
                If index > _SubmissionList.count - 1 Then
                    _SubmissionList.add(Value)
                Else
                    _SubmissionList(index) = Value
                End If
            End Set
        End Property
 
        Public Sub Add(ByVal s As SubmissionItem)
            _SubmissionList.add(s)
        End Sub
 
    End Class
 
    Public Class SubmissionItem
        <XmlElement("fksubmission")> Public fkSubmission As String
        <XmlElement("submissiontype")> Public SubmissionType As String
        Public Sub New()
 
        End Sub
 
        Public Sub New(ByVal s1 As String, ByVal s2 As String)
            fkSubmission = s1
            SubmissionType = s2
        End Sub
    End Class

Try this...

VB Code:

Dim x As String()() = New String()() {y.ToArray(GetType(String)), z.ToArray(GetType(String))}

From your first attempt, that is.

:)

Thanks crpt, that solves the initial request.

Of course, now I have to decide which would be easier to populate a dropdownbox in old ASP from:
returning a 2-d jagged string array

VB Code:

- <ArrayOfString>
  <string>1</string> 
  <string>2</string> 
  </ArrayOfString>
- <ArrayOfString>
  <string>Injury</string> 
  <string>Suspicious Activity</string> 
  </ArrayOfString>
  </ArrayOfArrayOfString>

Or the custom class implementation:

VB Code:

<SubmissionTypeItem>
  <fksubmission>1</fksubmission> 
  <submissiontype>Injury</submissiontype> 
  </SubmissionTypeItem>
- <SubmissionTypeItem>
  <fksubmission>2</fksubmission> 
  <submissiontype>Suspicious Activity</submissiontype> 
  </SubmissionTypeItem>
  </SubmissionList>

???