public interface IEvolvable

An IEvolvable class has an integer version identifier n, where n >= 0. When the contents and/or semantics of the serialized form of the IEvolvable class changes, the version identifier is increased. Two versions identifiers, n1 and n2, indicate the same version if n1 == n2; the version indicated by n2 is newer than the version indicated by n1 if n2 > n1.

The IEvolvable interface is designed to support the evolution of types by the addition of data. Removal of data cannot be safely accomplished as long as a previous version of the type exists that relies on that data. Modifications to the structure or semantics of data from previous versions likewise cannot be safely accomplished as long as a previous version of the type exists that relies on the previous structure or semantics of the data.

When an IEvolvable object is deserialized, it retains any unknown data that has been added to newer versions of the type, and the version identifier for that data format. When the IEvolvable object is subsequently serialized, it includes both that version identifier and the unknown future data.

When an IEvolvable object is deserialized from a data stream whose version identifier indicates an older version, it must default and/or calculate the values for any data fields and properties that have been added since that older version. When the IEvolvable object is subsequently serialized, it includes its own version identifier and all of its data. Note that there will be no unknown future data in this case; future data can only exist when the version of the data stream is newer than the version of the IEvolvable type.