XML Data

Microsoft Silverlight will reach end of support after October 2021. Learn more.

You can parse XML data in Silverlight by using either LINQ to XML or XmlReader.

This section provides an overview of the two technologies, and examples that process XML data by using both technologies. This section also includes links to the .NET Framework documentation for more information.

Parsing with XmlReader vs. LINQ to XML

XmlReader is a fast, forward-only, non-caching parser. LINQ to XML is implemented on top of XmlReader, and they are tightly integrated.

In general, you should use XmlReader to read very large documents, because loading such documents into an in-memory tree uses a lot of memory and decreases performance.

If you are building a system that parses smaller XML documents, you can take advantage of the productivity improvements that LINQ to XML provides.

In This Section

• Processing XML in the .NET Framework vs. the .NET Framework for Silverlight
  Describes the differences between the .NET Framework for Silverlight and the .NET Framework.

• Processing XML Data with XmlReader and XmlWriter (Silverlight)
  Provides an overview of XmlReader and XmlWriter, and links to examples.

• Processing XML Data with LINQ to XML (Silverlight)
  Provides an overview of LINQ to XML, and links to examples.

• Working with XmlPreloadedResolver
  Provides an overview of XmlPreloadedResolver, and links to examples.

• Working with XmlXapResolver
  Provides an overview of XmlXapResolver, and links to examples.

• Processing DTD Content in Silverlight
  Provides information about processing DTD content in Silverlight.

• Security Considerations (XML Data in Silverlight)
  Describes security considerations that are specific to processing XML data in Silverlight.