fsharp / fsharp/fslang-suggestions
Allow applying `[<AutoSerializable(false)>]` on assemblies
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Description
# Allow applying `[]` on assemblies
I propose we allow the `FSharp.Core.AutoSerializableAttribute` to be applied in assemblies, which will make the compiler entirely skip automatically marking all types as `[]`.
The existing way of approaching this problem in F# is manually applying the attribute on each and every type, and still it might not catch some compiler-generated ones.
## Pros and Cons
The advantages of making this adjustment to F# are easier discouraging and breaking off from the insecure `BinaryFormatter`. Moreover library authors will be able to prevent unforeseen backwards compatibility issues by easily marking all their types as non-serializable.
The disadvantages of making this adjustment to F# are none; this change would not impact existing codebases. Furthermore `BinaryFormatter` is not used in `FSharp.Core` at all so it won't break anything there.
## Extra information
Estimated cost (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL): S
Related suggestions: _N/A_
Developers could mark _only_ specific types as serializable by applying `[]` on these types and `[]` on the assembly.
## Affidavit (please submit!)
Please tick this by placing a cross in the box:
* [X] This is not a question (e.g. like one you might ask on [stackoverflow](http://stackoverflow.com)) and I have searched stackoverflow for discussions of this issue
* [X] I have [searched both open and closed suggestions on this site](http://github.com/fsharp/fslang-suggestions/issues) and believe this is not a duplicate
* [X] This is not something which has obviously "already been decided" in previous versions of F#. If you're questioning a fundamental design decision that has obviously already been taken (e.g. "Make F# untyped") then please don't submit it.
Please tick all that apply:
* [X] This is not a breaking change to the F# language design
* [ ] I or my company would be willing to help implement and/or test this
## For Readers
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Contributor guide
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Research direction
Start by locating the existing handling of FSharp.Core.AutoSerializableAttribute and the compiler logic that automatically marks types with Serializable. Check how assembly-level attributes are represented and how compiler-generated types are covered. Done means an assembly-level AutoSerializable(false) prevents automatic serialization marking while explicit Serializable attributes still work, with corresponding tests.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- compilers
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100