Entity Framework code first using models defined with non-native types

Question

I have a question regarding EF Code First with MVC. Currently I know how to create controllers and views out a model that has all the atributtes as native types such as (int, string, etc.).

What if I have a model that one its attributes is a type defined in another model in my project?

Something like

public class Partido
    {
        public int ID { get; set; }
        public Seleccion Local { get; set; }
        public Seleccion Visitante { get; set; }
        public Resultado Marcador { get; set; }
    }

Where Seleccion and Resultado are defined each one in the same model namespace of the project.

Right click on Controller folder, tell I want a new controller out of Partido model and one context. Then I repeat the same but with the View folder. — Julen
– Julen, Commented Jun 8, 2012 at 12:57
I see nothing. The generated HTML is empty. I asume that is because it does not recognize Seleccion and Resultado plus ID is the PK for the table in the DB. — Julen
– Julen, Commented Jun 8, 2012 at 13:02

lucask · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-08 13:17:21Z

1

Decorate Seleccion and Resultado classes with ComplexType attribute. Example:

public class Partido
{
    public int ID { get; set; }
    public Seleccion Local { get; set; }
    public Seleccion Visitante { get; set; }
    public Resultado Marcador { get; set; }
}

[ComplexType]
public class Seleccion {} 

[ComplexType]
public class Resultado {}

Entity Framework will generate appropriate colums in 'Partido' table that will correspond to Seleccion and Resultado class properties.

You can learn more about it here: Code First Data Annotations

edited Jun 8, 2012 at 13:17

answered Jun 8, 2012 at 13:12

lucask

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5 Comments

Julen Over a year ago

It didn't work I think becasue reading the link you provided the ComplexType they cannot be tracked in the database using and ID which I do in the Seleccion and Resultado definition.

lucask Over a year ago

Yes, these classes must act as value objects and cannot have key properties.

Julen Over a year ago

So, basically it is imposible to generate automatically a controller/view out of model that is compound by another model that does have a key? So, I guess it is becasue you shouldn't do that. My question now is, what should you do in that case? Which pattern do I ought to follow? Thanks!!

lucask Over a year ago

You could also try to decorate Selection and Resultado id properties with [NotMapped]. I'm not sure if it's going to work, because I've never tried it. Btw why can't you treat these classes as entities and put them in your DbContext class? EF will create tables for them and in Partido entity they will be treated as foreign keys.

Julen Over a year ago

The idea is that ''Seleccion'' and ''Resultado'' they are entities as well. I mean, the same way ''Partido'' is. I am not sure if I understood you correctly in that last point...

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