LoadBinaryData - Deserializing an object from a file in binary format

' Deserialize an object from a file in binary format
' It can handle types that the SOAP serialization can't
' Requires:
'   Imports System.IO
'   Imports System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary
Private Function LoadBinaryData(ByVal path As String) As Object
    ' Open a file stream for input
    Dim fs As FileStream = New FileStream(path, FileMode.Open)
    ' Create a binary formatter for this stream
    Dim bf As New BinaryFormatter()

    ' Deserialize the contents of the file stream into an object
    LoadBinaryData = bf.Deserialize(fs)
    ' close the stream.
    fs.Close()
End Function


' Note: refer to the SOAP version of this routine for an example of its usage,
'  as they work the same way