Related
I have a problem with a p:selectOneMenu, no matter what I do I cannot get JSF to call the setter on the JPA entity. JSF validation fails with this message:
form:location: Validation Error: Value is not valid
I have this working on several other class of the same type (ie, join table classes) but cannot for the life of me get this one working.
If anyone can throw some troubleshooting/debugging tips for this sort of problem it would be greatly appreciated.
Using log statements I have verified the following:
The Conveter is returning correct, non null values.
I have no Bean Validation in my JPA entities.
The setter setLocation(Location location) is never called.
This is the simplest example I can do and it simply will not work:
<h:body>
<h:form id="form">
<p:messages id="messages" autoUpdate="true" />
<p:selectOneMenu id="location" value="#{locationStockList.selected.location}" converter="locationConverter">
<p:ajax event="change" update=":form:lblLocation"/>
<f:selectItems value="#{locationStockList.locationSelection}"/>
</p:selectOneMenu>
</h:form>
</h:body>
Converter:
#FacesConverter(forClass=Location.class, value="locationConverter")
public class LocationConverter implements Converter, Serializable {
private static final Logger logger = Logger.getLogger(LocationConverter.class.getName());
#Override
public Object getAsObject(FacesContext context, UIComponent component, String value) {
if (value.isEmpty())
return null;
try {
Long id = Long.parseLong(value);
Location location = ((LocationManagedBean) context.getApplication().getELResolver().getValue(context.getELContext(), null, "location")).find(id);
logger.log(Level.SEVERE, "Converted {0} to {1}" , new Object[] {value, location});
return location;
} catch (NumberFormatException e) {
return new Location();
}
}
#Override
public String getAsString(FacesContext context, UIComponent component, Object value) {
if (value == null || value.toString().isEmpty() || !(value instanceof Location))
return "";
return String.valueOf(((Location) value).getId());
}
}
Console output:
// Getter method
INFO: Current value=ejb.locations.Location[id=null, name=null, latitude=0.0, longitude=0.0]
// Session Bean
INFO: Finding ejb.locations.Location with id=3
// Session Bean
INFO: ### Returning : ejb.locations.Location[id=3, name=mdmd, latitude=4.5, longitude=2.3]
// Converter
SEVERE: Converted 3 to ejb.locations.Location[id=3, name=mdmd, latitude=4.5, longitude=2.3]
// Getter method -> Where did my selected Location go ??
INFO: Current value=ejb.locations.Location[id=null, name=null, latitude=0.0, longitude=0.0]
Validation fails with the message "form:location: Validation Error: Value is not valid"
This error boils down to that the selected item does not match any of the available select item values specified by any nested <f:selectItem(s)> tag during processing of the form submit request.
As part of safeguard against tampered/hacked requests, JSF will reiterate over all available select item values and test if selectedItem.equals(availableItem) returns true for at least one available item value. If no one item value matches, then you'll get exactly this validation error.
This process is under the covers basically as below, whereby bean.getAvailableItems() fictionally represents the entire list of available select items as defined by <f:selectItem(s)>:
String submittedValue = request.getParameter(component.getClientId());
Converter converter = component.getConverter();
Object selectedItem = (converter != null) ? converter.getAsObject(context, component, submittedValue) : submittedValue;
boolean valid = false;
for (Object availableItem : bean.getAvailableItems()) {
if (selectedItem.equals(availableItem)) {
valid = true;
break;
}
}
if (!valid) {
throw new ValidatorException("Validation Error: Value is not valid");
}
So, based on the above logic, this problem can logically have at least the following causes:
The selected item is missing in the list of available items.
The equals() method of the class representing the selected item is missing or broken.
If a custom Converter is involved, then it has returned the wrong object in getAsObject(). Perhaps it's even null.
To solve it:
Ensure that exactly the same list is been preserved during the subsequent request, particularly in case of multiple cascading menus. Making the bean #ViewScoped instead of #RequestScoped should fix it in most cases. Also make sure that you don't perform the business logic in the getter method of <f:selectItem(s)>, but instead in #PostConstruct or an action event (listener) method. If you're relying on specific request parameters, then you'd need to explicitly store them in the #ViewScoped bean, or to re-pass them on subsequent requests by e.g. <f:param>. See also How to choose the right bean scope?
Ensure that the equals() method is implemented right. This is already done right on standard Java types such as java.lang.String, java.lang.Number, etc, but not necessarily on custom objects/beans/entites. See also Right way to implement equals contract. In case you're already using String, make sure that the request character encoding is configured right. If it contains special characters and JSF is configured to render the output as UTF-8 but interpret the input as e.g. ISO-8859-1, then it will fail. See also a.o. Unicode input retrieved via PrimeFaces input components become corrupted.
Debug/log the actions of your custom Converter and fix it accordingly. For guidelines, see also Conversion Error setting value for 'null Converter' In case you're using java.util.Date as available items with <f:convertDateTime>, make sure that you don't forget the full time part in the pattern. See also "Validation Error: Value is not valid" error from f:datetimeConverter.
See also:
Our selectOneMenu wiki page
How to populate options of h:selectOneMenu from database?
Make multiple dependent / cascading selectOneMenu dropdown lists in JSF
If anyone can throw some troubleshooting/debugging tips for this sort of problem it would be greatly appreciated.
Just ask a clear and concrete question here. Do not ask too broad questions ;)
In my case I forgot to implement a correct get/set methods. It happened because I have changed a lot of attributes along the development.
Without a proper get method, JSF can´t recover your selected item, and happens what BalusC said at item 1 of his answer:
1 . The selected item is missing in the list of available items. This can happen if the list of available items is served by a request scoped bean which is not properly reinitialized on subsequent request, or is incorrectly doing the business job inside a getter method which causes it to return a different list in some way.
This can be a Converter Issue or else DTO issue.
Try to solve this, by adding hashCode() and equals() methods in your object DTO; In the above scenario you can generate these methods within the Location object class which indicate as the 'DTO' here.
Example:
#Override
public int hashCode() {
final int prime = 31;
int result = 1;
result = prime * result + (int) (id ^ (id >>> 32));
return result;
}
#Override
public boolean equals(Object obj) {
if (this == obj)
return true;
if (obj == null)
return false;
if (getClass() != obj.getClass())
return false;
Location other = (Location) obj;
if (id != other.id)
return false;
return true;
}
Please note that the above example is for an 'id' of type 'long'.
I have a problem with a p:selectOneMenu, no matter what I do I cannot get JSF to call the setter on the JPA entity. JSF validation fails with this message:
form:location: Validation Error: Value is not valid
I have this working on several other class of the same type (ie, join table classes) but cannot for the life of me get this one working.
If anyone can throw some troubleshooting/debugging tips for this sort of problem it would be greatly appreciated.
Using log statements I have verified the following:
The Conveter is returning correct, non null values.
I have no Bean Validation in my JPA entities.
The setter setLocation(Location location) is never called.
This is the simplest example I can do and it simply will not work:
<h:body>
<h:form id="form">
<p:messages id="messages" autoUpdate="true" />
<p:selectOneMenu id="location" value="#{locationStockList.selected.location}" converter="locationConverter">
<p:ajax event="change" update=":form:lblLocation"/>
<f:selectItems value="#{locationStockList.locationSelection}"/>
</p:selectOneMenu>
</h:form>
</h:body>
Converter:
#FacesConverter(forClass=Location.class, value="locationConverter")
public class LocationConverter implements Converter, Serializable {
private static final Logger logger = Logger.getLogger(LocationConverter.class.getName());
#Override
public Object getAsObject(FacesContext context, UIComponent component, String value) {
if (value.isEmpty())
return null;
try {
Long id = Long.parseLong(value);
Location location = ((LocationManagedBean) context.getApplication().getELResolver().getValue(context.getELContext(), null, "location")).find(id);
logger.log(Level.SEVERE, "Converted {0} to {1}" , new Object[] {value, location});
return location;
} catch (NumberFormatException e) {
return new Location();
}
}
#Override
public String getAsString(FacesContext context, UIComponent component, Object value) {
if (value == null || value.toString().isEmpty() || !(value instanceof Location))
return "";
return String.valueOf(((Location) value).getId());
}
}
Console output:
// Getter method
INFO: Current value=ejb.locations.Location[id=null, name=null, latitude=0.0, longitude=0.0]
// Session Bean
INFO: Finding ejb.locations.Location with id=3
// Session Bean
INFO: ### Returning : ejb.locations.Location[id=3, name=mdmd, latitude=4.5, longitude=2.3]
// Converter
SEVERE: Converted 3 to ejb.locations.Location[id=3, name=mdmd, latitude=4.5, longitude=2.3]
// Getter method -> Where did my selected Location go ??
INFO: Current value=ejb.locations.Location[id=null, name=null, latitude=0.0, longitude=0.0]
Validation fails with the message "form:location: Validation Error: Value is not valid"
This error boils down to that the selected item does not match any of the available select item values specified by any nested <f:selectItem(s)> tag during processing of the form submit request.
As part of safeguard against tampered/hacked requests, JSF will reiterate over all available select item values and test if selectedItem.equals(availableItem) returns true for at least one available item value. If no one item value matches, then you'll get exactly this validation error.
This process is under the covers basically as below, whereby bean.getAvailableItems() fictionally represents the entire list of available select items as defined by <f:selectItem(s)>:
String submittedValue = request.getParameter(component.getClientId());
Converter converter = component.getConverter();
Object selectedItem = (converter != null) ? converter.getAsObject(context, component, submittedValue) : submittedValue;
boolean valid = false;
for (Object availableItem : bean.getAvailableItems()) {
if (selectedItem.equals(availableItem)) {
valid = true;
break;
}
}
if (!valid) {
throw new ValidatorException("Validation Error: Value is not valid");
}
So, based on the above logic, this problem can logically have at least the following causes:
The selected item is missing in the list of available items.
The equals() method of the class representing the selected item is missing or broken.
If a custom Converter is involved, then it has returned the wrong object in getAsObject(). Perhaps it's even null.
To solve it:
Ensure that exactly the same list is been preserved during the subsequent request, particularly in case of multiple cascading menus. Making the bean #ViewScoped instead of #RequestScoped should fix it in most cases. Also make sure that you don't perform the business logic in the getter method of <f:selectItem(s)>, but instead in #PostConstruct or an action event (listener) method. If you're relying on specific request parameters, then you'd need to explicitly store them in the #ViewScoped bean, or to re-pass them on subsequent requests by e.g. <f:param>. See also How to choose the right bean scope?
Ensure that the equals() method is implemented right. This is already done right on standard Java types such as java.lang.String, java.lang.Number, etc, but not necessarily on custom objects/beans/entites. See also Right way to implement equals contract. In case you're already using String, make sure that the request character encoding is configured right. If it contains special characters and JSF is configured to render the output as UTF-8 but interpret the input as e.g. ISO-8859-1, then it will fail. See also a.o. Unicode input retrieved via PrimeFaces input components become corrupted.
Debug/log the actions of your custom Converter and fix it accordingly. For guidelines, see also Conversion Error setting value for 'null Converter' In case you're using java.util.Date as available items with <f:convertDateTime>, make sure that you don't forget the full time part in the pattern. See also "Validation Error: Value is not valid" error from f:datetimeConverter.
See also:
Our selectOneMenu wiki page
How to populate options of h:selectOneMenu from database?
Make multiple dependent / cascading selectOneMenu dropdown lists in JSF
If anyone can throw some troubleshooting/debugging tips for this sort of problem it would be greatly appreciated.
Just ask a clear and concrete question here. Do not ask too broad questions ;)
In my case I forgot to implement a correct get/set methods. It happened because I have changed a lot of attributes along the development.
Without a proper get method, JSF can´t recover your selected item, and happens what BalusC said at item 1 of his answer:
1 . The selected item is missing in the list of available items. This can happen if the list of available items is served by a request scoped bean which is not properly reinitialized on subsequent request, or is incorrectly doing the business job inside a getter method which causes it to return a different list in some way.
This can be a Converter Issue or else DTO issue.
Try to solve this, by adding hashCode() and equals() methods in your object DTO; In the above scenario you can generate these methods within the Location object class which indicate as the 'DTO' here.
Example:
#Override
public int hashCode() {
final int prime = 31;
int result = 1;
result = prime * result + (int) (id ^ (id >>> 32));
return result;
}
#Override
public boolean equals(Object obj) {
if (this == obj)
return true;
if (obj == null)
return false;
if (getClass() != obj.getClass())
return false;
Location other = (Location) obj;
if (id != other.id)
return false;
return true;
}
Please note that the above example is for an 'id' of type 'long'.
I have a problem with a p:selectOneMenu, no matter what I do I cannot get JSF to call the setter on the JPA entity. JSF validation fails with this message:
form:location: Validation Error: Value is not valid
I have this working on several other class of the same type (ie, join table classes) but cannot for the life of me get this one working.
If anyone can throw some troubleshooting/debugging tips for this sort of problem it would be greatly appreciated.
Using log statements I have verified the following:
The Conveter is returning correct, non null values.
I have no Bean Validation in my JPA entities.
The setter setLocation(Location location) is never called.
This is the simplest example I can do and it simply will not work:
<h:body>
<h:form id="form">
<p:messages id="messages" autoUpdate="true" />
<p:selectOneMenu id="location" value="#{locationStockList.selected.location}" converter="locationConverter">
<p:ajax event="change" update=":form:lblLocation"/>
<f:selectItems value="#{locationStockList.locationSelection}"/>
</p:selectOneMenu>
</h:form>
</h:body>
Converter:
#FacesConverter(forClass=Location.class, value="locationConverter")
public class LocationConverter implements Converter, Serializable {
private static final Logger logger = Logger.getLogger(LocationConverter.class.getName());
#Override
public Object getAsObject(FacesContext context, UIComponent component, String value) {
if (value.isEmpty())
return null;
try {
Long id = Long.parseLong(value);
Location location = ((LocationManagedBean) context.getApplication().getELResolver().getValue(context.getELContext(), null, "location")).find(id);
logger.log(Level.SEVERE, "Converted {0} to {1}" , new Object[] {value, location});
return location;
} catch (NumberFormatException e) {
return new Location();
}
}
#Override
public String getAsString(FacesContext context, UIComponent component, Object value) {
if (value == null || value.toString().isEmpty() || !(value instanceof Location))
return "";
return String.valueOf(((Location) value).getId());
}
}
Console output:
// Getter method
INFO: Current value=ejb.locations.Location[id=null, name=null, latitude=0.0, longitude=0.0]
// Session Bean
INFO: Finding ejb.locations.Location with id=3
// Session Bean
INFO: ### Returning : ejb.locations.Location[id=3, name=mdmd, latitude=4.5, longitude=2.3]
// Converter
SEVERE: Converted 3 to ejb.locations.Location[id=3, name=mdmd, latitude=4.5, longitude=2.3]
// Getter method -> Where did my selected Location go ??
INFO: Current value=ejb.locations.Location[id=null, name=null, latitude=0.0, longitude=0.0]
Validation fails with the message "form:location: Validation Error: Value is not valid"
This error boils down to that the selected item does not match any of the available select item values specified by any nested <f:selectItem(s)> tag during processing of the form submit request.
As part of safeguard against tampered/hacked requests, JSF will reiterate over all available select item values and test if selectedItem.equals(availableItem) returns true for at least one available item value. If no one item value matches, then you'll get exactly this validation error.
This process is under the covers basically as below, whereby bean.getAvailableItems() fictionally represents the entire list of available select items as defined by <f:selectItem(s)>:
String submittedValue = request.getParameter(component.getClientId());
Converter converter = component.getConverter();
Object selectedItem = (converter != null) ? converter.getAsObject(context, component, submittedValue) : submittedValue;
boolean valid = false;
for (Object availableItem : bean.getAvailableItems()) {
if (selectedItem.equals(availableItem)) {
valid = true;
break;
}
}
if (!valid) {
throw new ValidatorException("Validation Error: Value is not valid");
}
So, based on the above logic, this problem can logically have at least the following causes:
The selected item is missing in the list of available items.
The equals() method of the class representing the selected item is missing or broken.
If a custom Converter is involved, then it has returned the wrong object in getAsObject(). Perhaps it's even null.
To solve it:
Ensure that exactly the same list is been preserved during the subsequent request, particularly in case of multiple cascading menus. Making the bean #ViewScoped instead of #RequestScoped should fix it in most cases. Also make sure that you don't perform the business logic in the getter method of <f:selectItem(s)>, but instead in #PostConstruct or an action event (listener) method. If you're relying on specific request parameters, then you'd need to explicitly store them in the #ViewScoped bean, or to re-pass them on subsequent requests by e.g. <f:param>. See also How to choose the right bean scope?
Ensure that the equals() method is implemented right. This is already done right on standard Java types such as java.lang.String, java.lang.Number, etc, but not necessarily on custom objects/beans/entites. See also Right way to implement equals contract. In case you're already using String, make sure that the request character encoding is configured right. If it contains special characters and JSF is configured to render the output as UTF-8 but interpret the input as e.g. ISO-8859-1, then it will fail. See also a.o. Unicode input retrieved via PrimeFaces input components become corrupted.
Debug/log the actions of your custom Converter and fix it accordingly. For guidelines, see also Conversion Error setting value for 'null Converter' In case you're using java.util.Date as available items with <f:convertDateTime>, make sure that you don't forget the full time part in the pattern. See also "Validation Error: Value is not valid" error from f:datetimeConverter.
See also:
Our selectOneMenu wiki page
How to populate options of h:selectOneMenu from database?
Make multiple dependent / cascading selectOneMenu dropdown lists in JSF
If anyone can throw some troubleshooting/debugging tips for this sort of problem it would be greatly appreciated.
Just ask a clear and concrete question here. Do not ask too broad questions ;)
In my case I forgot to implement a correct get/set methods. It happened because I have changed a lot of attributes along the development.
Without a proper get method, JSF can´t recover your selected item, and happens what BalusC said at item 1 of his answer:
1 . The selected item is missing in the list of available items. This can happen if the list of available items is served by a request scoped bean which is not properly reinitialized on subsequent request, or is incorrectly doing the business job inside a getter method which causes it to return a different list in some way.
This can be a Converter Issue or else DTO issue.
Try to solve this, by adding hashCode() and equals() methods in your object DTO; In the above scenario you can generate these methods within the Location object class which indicate as the 'DTO' here.
Example:
#Override
public int hashCode() {
final int prime = 31;
int result = 1;
result = prime * result + (int) (id ^ (id >>> 32));
return result;
}
#Override
public boolean equals(Object obj) {
if (this == obj)
return true;
if (obj == null)
return false;
if (getClass() != obj.getClass())
return false;
Location other = (Location) obj;
if (id != other.id)
return false;
return true;
}
Please note that the above example is for an 'id' of type 'long'.
I'm running into an issue with Entity Framework code-first in MVC3. I'm hitting this exception:
An object with the same key already exists in the ObjectStateManager.
The ObjectStateManager cannot track multiple objects with the same
key.
This is addressed many times on SO, but I'm having trouble utilizing any of the suggested solutions in my situation.
Here is a code sample:
FestORM.SaleMethod method = new FestORM.SaleMethod
{
Id = 2,
Name = "Test Sale Method"
};
FestContext context = new FestContext();
//everything works without this line:
string thisQueryWillMessThingsUp =
context.SaleMethods.Where(m => m.Id == 2).Single().Name;
context.Entry(method).State = System.Data.EntityState.Modified;
context.SaveChanges();
EDITED to clarify: I am attempting to update an object that already exists in the database.
Everything works fine without the query noted in the code. In my application, my controller is instantiating the context, and that same context is passed to several repositories that are used by the controller--so I am not able to simply use a different context for the initial query operation. I've tried to remove the entity from being tracked in the ObjectStateManager, but I can't seem to get anywhere with that either. I'm trying to figure out a solution that will work for both conditions: sometimes I will be updating an object that is tracked by the ObjectStateManager, and sometimes it will happen to have not been tracked yet.
FWIW, my real repository functions look like this, just like the code above:
public void Update(T entity)
{
//works ONLY when entity is not tracked by ObjectStateManager
_context.Entry(entity).State = System.Data.EntityState.Modified;
}
public void SaveChanges()
{
_context.SaveChanges();
}
Any ideas? I've been fighting this for too long...
The problem is that this query
string thisQueryWillMessThingsUp =
context.SaleMethods.Where(m => m.Id == 2).Single().Name;
brings one instance of the SaleMethod entity into the context and then this code
context.Entry(method).State = System.Data.EntityState.Modified;
attaches a different instance to the context. Both instances have the same primary key, so EF thinks that you are trying to attach two different entities with the same key to the context. It doesn't know that they are both supposed to be the same entity.
If for some reason you just need to query for the name, but don't want to actually bring the full entity into the context, then you can do this:
string thisQueryWillMessThingsUp =
context.SaleMethods.Where(m => m.Id == 2).AsNoTracking().Single().Name;
If what you are tying to do is update an existing entity and you have values for all mapped properties of that entity, then the simplest thing to do is to not run the query and just use:
context.Entry(method).State = System.Data.EntityState.Modified;
If you don't want to update all properties, possibly because you don't have values for all properties, then querying for the entity and setting properties on it before calling SaveChanges is an acceptable approach. There are several ways to do this depending on your exact requirements. One way is to use the Property method, something like so:
var salesMethod = context.SaleMethods.Find(2); // Basically equivalent to your query
context.Entry(salesMethod).Property(e => e.Name).CurrentValue = newName;
context.Entry(salesMethod).Property(e => e.SomeOtherProp).CurrentValue = newOtherValue;
context.SaveChanges();
These blog posts contain some additional information that might be helpful:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/adonet/archive/2011/01/29/using-dbcontext-in-ef-feature-ctp5-part-4-add-attach-and-entity-states.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/adonet/archive/2011/01/30/using-dbcontext-in-ef-feature-ctp5-part-5-working-with-property-values.aspx
The obvious answer would be that your not actually saving the method object to the database before you call:
//everything works without this line:
string thisQueryWillMessThingsUp = context.SaleMethods.Where(m => m.Id == 2).Single().Name;
However, I think perhaps this is just a bit a code you left out.
What if you make your entities inherit from an abstract class ie.
public abstract class BaseClass
{
public int Id { get; set; }
}
Then update your Repository to
public class Repository<T> where T : BaseClass
{
.....
public void Update(T entity)
{
_context.Entry(entity).State = entity.Id == 0 ? System.Data.EntityState.Added : System.Data.EntityState.Modified;
}
}
Also you might want to not set the ID of your SaleMethod and let it be generated by the database. Problem could also be because SaleMethod Object in the database has Id of 2 and then you try to add another SaleMethod object with Id 2.
The error you see stems from trying to add another SaleMethod object with ID of 2 to the ObjectStateManager.
I have two tables in my database connected by foreign keys: Page (PageId, other data) and PageTag (PageId, Tag). I've used LINQ to generate classes for these tables, with the page as the parent and the Tag as the child collection (one to many relationship). Is there any way to mark PageTag records for deletion from the database from within the Page class?
Quick Clearification:
I want the child objects to be deleted when the parent DataContext calls SubmitChanges(), not before. I want TagString to behave exactly like any of the other properties of the Page object.
I would like to enable code like the following:
Page page = mDataContext.Pages.Where(page => page.pageId = 1);
page.TagString = "new set of tags";
//Changes have not been written to the database at this point.
mDataContext.SubmitChanges();
//All changes should now be saved to the database.
Here is my situation in detail:
In order to make working with the collection of tags easier, I've added a property to the Page object that treats the Tag collection as a string:
public string TagString {
get {
StringBuilder output = new StringBuilder();
foreach (PageTag tag in PageTags) {
output.Append(tag.Tag + " ");
}
if (output.Length > 0) {
output.Remove(output.Length - 1, 1);
}
return output.ToString();
}
set {
string[] tags = value.Split(' ');
PageTags.Clear();
foreach (string tag in tags) {
PageTag pageTag = new PageTag();
pageTag.Tag = tag;
PageTags.Add(pageTag);
}
}
}
Basically, the idea is that when a string of tags is sent to this property, the current tags of the object are deleted and a new set is generated in their place.
The problem I'm encountering is that this line:
PageTags.Clear();
Doesn't actually delete the old tags from the database when changes are submitted.
Looking around, the "proper" way to delete things seems to be to call the DeleteOnSubmit method of the data context class. But I don't appear to have access to the DataContext class from within the Page class.
Does anyone know of a way to mark the child elements for deletion from the database from within the Page class?
After some more research, I believe I've managed to find a solution. Marking an object for deletion when it's removed from a collection is controlled by the DeleteOnNull parameter of the Association attribute.
This parameter is set to true when the relationship between two tables is marked with OnDelete Cascade.
Unfortunately, there is no way to set this attribute from within the designer, and no way to set it from within the partial class in the *DataContext.cs file. The only way to set it without enabling cascading deletes is to manually edit the *DataContext.designer.cs file.
In my case, this meant finding the Page association, and adding the DeleteOnNull property:
[Association(Name="Page_PageTag", Storage="_Page", ThisKey="PageId", OtherKey="iPageId", IsForeignKey=true)]
public Page Page
{
...
}
And adding the DeleteOnNull attribute:
[Association(Name="Page_PageTag", Storage="_Page", ThisKey="PageId", OtherKey="iPageId", IsForeignKey=true, DeleteOnNull = true)]
public Page Page
{
...
}
Note that the attribute needed to be added to the Page property of the PageTag class, not the other way around.
See also:
Beth Massi -- LINQ to SQL and One-To-Many Relationships
Dave Brace -- LINQ to SQL: DeleteOnNull
Sorry, my bad. That won't work.
It really looks like you need to be doing this in your repository, rather than in your Page class. There, you have access to your original data context.
There is a way to "attach" the original data context, but by the time you do that, it has become quite the code smell.
Do you have a relationship, in your Linq to SQL entity diagram, linking the Page and PageTags tables? If you don't, that is why you can't see the PageTags class from the Page class.
If the foreign key in the PageTags database table is set to Allow Nulls, Linq to SQL will not create the link when you drag the tables into the designer, even if you created a relationship on the SQL Server.
This is one of those areas where OR mapping can get kind of hairy. Providing this TagString property makes things a bit more convenient, but in the long run it obfuscates what is really happening when someone utilizes the TagString property. By hiding the fact that your performing data modification, someone can very easily come along and set the TagString without using your Page entity within the scope of a DataContext, which could lead to some difficult to find bugs.
A better solution would be to add a Tags property on the Page class with the L2S model designer, and require that the PageTags be edited directly on the Tags property, within the scope of a DataContext. Make the TagString property read only, so it can be genreated (and still provide some convenience), but eliminate the confusion and difficulty around setting that property. This kind of change clarifies intent, and makes it obvious what is happening and what is required by consumers of the Page object to make it happen.
Since Tags is a property of your Page object, as long as it is attached to a DataContext, any changes to that collection will properly trigger deletions or insertions in the database in response to Remove or Add calls.
Aaron,
Apparently you have to loop thru your PageTag records, calling DeleteOnSubmit for each one. Linq to SQL should create an aggregate query to delete all of the records at once when you call SubmitChanges, so overhead should be minimal.
replace
PageTags.Clear();
with
foreach (PageTag tag in PageTags)
myDataContext.DeleteOnSubmit(tag);
Aaron:
Add a DataContext member to your PageTag partial class.
partial class PageTag
{
DataClassesDataContext myDataContext = new DataClassesDataContext();
public string TagString {
..etc.
Larger code sample posted at Robert Harvey's request:
DataContext.cs file:
namespace MyProject.Library.Model
{
using Tome.Library.Parsing;
using System.Text;
partial class Page
{
//Part of Robert Harvey's proposed solution.
MyDataContext mDataContext = new TomeDataContext();
public string TagString {
get {
StringBuilder output = new StringBuilder();
foreach (PageTag tag in PageTags) {
output.Append(tag.Tag + " ");
}
if (output.Length > 0) {
output.Remove(output.Length - 1, 1);
}
return output.ToString();
}
set {
string[] tags = value.Split(' ');
//Original code, fails to mark for deletion.
//PageTags.Clear();
//Robert Harvey's suggestion, thorws exception "Cannot remove an entity that has not been attached."
foreach (PageTag tag in PageTags) {
mDataContext.PageTags.DeleteOnSubmit(tag);
}
foreach (string tag in tags) {
PageTag PageTag = new PageTag();
PageTag.Tag = tag;
PageTags.Add(PageTag);
}
}
}
private bool mIsNew;
public bool IsNew {
get {
return mIsNew;
}
}
partial void OnCreated() {
mIsNew = true;
}
partial void OnLoaded() {
mIsNew = false;
}
}
}
Repository Methods:
public void Save() {
mDataContext.SubmitChanges();
}
public Page GetPage(string pageName) {
Page page =
(from p in mDataContext.Pages
where p.FileName == pageName
select p).SingleOrDefault();
return page;
}
Usage:
[AcceptVerbs(HttpVerbs.Post)]
public ActionResult Edit(string pageName, FormCollection formValues) {
Page updatedPage = mRepository.GetPage(pageName);
//TagString is a Form value, and is set via UpdateModel.
UpdateModel(updatedPage, formValues.ToValueProvider());
updatedPage.FileName = pageName;
//At this point NO changes should have been written to the database.
mRepository.Save();
//All changes should NOW be saved to the database.
return RedirectToAction("Index", "Pages", new { PageName = pageName });
}