docs/geode-native-docs-cpp/serialization/dotnet-serialization/dotnet-pdx-autoserializer.html.md.erb

<% set_title("Serialize Using the", product_name, "PDX Autoserializer") %>

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When you register the reflection-based serializer, <%=vars.product_name%> uses it to serialize all objects that do not implement `IPdxSerializable` or `IDataSerializable`. You can customize the auto-serialization behavior for your domain objects by adding serialization attributes to your object’s fields.

**Procedure**

1.  If you have not already registered the PDX reflection-based autoserializer, add the registration code to your application.

    For example:

    ``` pre
    using Apache.Geode.Client;
    ...
    // Register reflection-based autoserializer to serialize
    // domain objects using PDX serialization
    Serializable.RegisterPdxSerializer(new ReflectionBasedAutoSerializer());
    ```

    This can only be configured in the application code. It cannot be configured declaratively in `cache.xml`.

2.  (Optional) For each object you intend to have autoserialized, customize the serialization as needed.  **Note:** If you also use PDX serialization in Java for the object, customize your serialization the same for both languages.

    1.  The following extension methods apply to autoserialization:
        -   **WriteTransform**. Controls what field value is written during auto serialization.
        -   **ReadTransform**. Controls what field value is read during auto deserialization.
        -   **GetFieldType**. Defines the specific field names that will be generated during autoserialization.
        -   **IsIdentityField**. Controls which field is marked as the identity field. Identity fields are used when a `PdxInstance` computes its hash code to determine whether it is equal to another object.
        -   **GetFieldType**. Determines the field type that will be used when autoserializing the given field.
        -   **IsFieldIncluded**. Specifies which fields of a class to autoserialize.

        See [Extending the Autoserializer](extending-pdx-autoserializer.html#concept_87701FF3FAE74F3193BE3FB349CE0086) for sample usage.

    2.  If you are writing a Java application, you can use the `IPdxType` Mapper to map Java types to .NET types. Note that you only need to use the `IPdxTypeMapper` if you are writing Java applications.

        See [Map .NET Domain Type Names to PDX Type Names with IPdxTypeMapper](mapping-dotnet-domain-type-names.html#concept_63F4164F1AE242A9BA309738F484182D) for sample usage.

    3.  To specify an identifier field in your domain object, add the attribute `PdxIdentityField` to the field.

        For example:

        ``` pre
        [PdxIdentityField] private int id;
        ```

    4.  To exclude a field from serialization, add the .NET attribute `NonSerialized` to the field.

        For example:

        ``` pre
        [NonSerialized] private int myLocalData;
        ```

For each domain class <%=vars.product_name%> serializes using the autoserializer, all fields are considered for serialization except those defined as `static`, `literal` or `readonly` and those you explicitly exclude using the .NET `NonSerialized` attribute.