Serialize or unset non-serializeble object as part of serializable object (C#)

Question

Let's say I have an object of class MyClass with an object of SerialPort within it. I am trying to serialize and save to file my object of "MyClass", but I can't , because objects of class SerialPort are not serializable. Skipping to the chase, I have something like this:

[Serializable]
public class MyClass
{
    public MyClass()
    {

    }
    public SerialPort mySerialPort;

}

It appears C# does not allow me to unset or change type of mySerialPort. What would be the workaround in this situation?

mySerialPort = null; // obviously doesn't work

I need to access serial port from within the object of type MyClass, but I don't really need it when I serialize it. Is there a way to pass it as an argument during object construct so it's not a part of the object?

Answer 1

You can mark the field with [NonSerialized] to exclude it from serialization.