I am trying to configure a one to many relationship using EF Core via fluent api and i keep getting the following error :
The expression 'x => x.parent' is not a valid property expression. The
expression should represent a simple property access: 't =>
t.MyProperty'. (Parameter 'propertyAccessExpression')'
Model(s)
public class Parent {
public int ID { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public ICollection<Child> Children { get; set; }
}
public class Child {
public int ID { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public Parent parent;
public int ParentId { get; set; }
}
Context
public class MyContext : DbContext {
public DbSet<Parent> Parents { get; set; }
public DbSet<Child> Children { get; set; }
protected override void OnModelCreating(ModelBuilder modelBuilder) {
base.OnModelCreating(modelBuilder);
modelBuilder.Entity<Child>().HasKey(x => x.ID);
modelBuilder.Entity<Parent>().HasKey(x => x.ID);
modelBuilder.Entity<Child>()
.HasOne(x => x.parent)
.WithMany(y => y.Children)
.HasForeignKey(t => t.ParentId);
}
public MyContext(DbContextOptions options):base(options) { }
}
Usage
static async Task Main(string[] args)
{
string connectionString = "[someconnectionstring]"
var optionsBuilder = new DbContextOptionsBuilder<MyContext>();
optionsBuilder.UseSqlServer(connectionString);
MyContext context = new MyContext(optionsBuilder.Options);
await context.Parents.AddAsync(new Parent {
Name = "myparent",
Children = new List<Child>() {
new Child { Name = "Child1" },
new Child { Name = "Child2" } }
}); //i am getting the error here
await context.SaveChangesAsync();
}
parent in Child class is a field. It should be public property. Please see for more information https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ef/ef6/modeling/code-first/fluent/types-and-properties#property-mapping
I have a EF Model with many entities, like Nodes, Attributes, Tags, etc.
There is also an "Alias" entity, and pretty much every other entity else can have a many-to-many relationship with Aliases. One of the undesired things about this is the number of tables that are created to track these relationships (eg. NodeAlias, AttributeAlias, etc.).
Are there any design alternatives that could map an Alias to all of the other entities in a single table? I was thinking maybe something along these lines if it's possible:
+---------+--------+-------------+-----------+
| AliasId | NodeId | AttributeId | TagId |
+---------+--------+-------------+-----------+
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
+---------+--------+-------------+-----------+
I updated my solution to provide many-to-many relationships between aliases and every other entity.
I intentionally posted this as a separate answer so that my previous answer can also remain here if anyone would need it.
Step #1: I created extension methods for getting and setting property values using reflection in a convenient way:
public static class ObjectExtensions
{
public static TResult GetPropertyValue<TResult>(this object entity, string propertyName)
{
object propertyValue = entity?.GetType().GetProperty(propertyName)?.GetValue(entity);
try
{
return (TResult)propertyValue;
}
catch
{
return default(TResult);
}
}
public static void SetPropertyValue(this object entity, string propertyName, object value)
{
entity?.GetType().GetProperty(propertyName)?.SetValue(entity, value);
}
}
Step #2: I updated the models to provide many-to-many relationship.
public class Node
{
[Key]
public int NodeId { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual ICollection<AliasMapping> AliasMappings { get; set; }
}
public class Attribute
{
[Key]
public int AttributeId { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual ICollection<AliasMapping> AliasMappings { get; set; }
}
public class Tag
{
[Key]
public int TagId { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual ICollection<AliasMapping> AliasMappings { get; set; }
}
public class Alias
{
[Key]
public int AliasId { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual ICollection<AliasMapping> AliasMappings { get; set; }
}
public class AliasMapping
{
[Key]
public int Id { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("Alias")]
public int AliasId { get; set; }
public Alias Alias { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("Node")]
public int? NodeId { get; set; }
public virtual Node Node { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("Attribute")]
public int? AttributeId { get; set; }
public virtual Attribute Attribute { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("Tag")]
public int? TagId { get; set; }
public virtual Tag Tag { get; set; }
}
Step #3: Due to relationship changes the MyDbContext could have been simplified as the [ForeignKey] data annotations are enough.
public class MyDbContext : DbContext
{
public DbSet<Node> Nodes { get; set; }
public DbSet<Attribute> Attributes { get; set; }
public DbSet<Tag> Tags { get; set; }
public DbSet<Alias> Aliases { get; set; }
public DbSet<AliasMapping> AliasMappings { get; set; }
}
Step #4: I also updated the extension methods so that you can create and remove alias mappings.
public static class AliasExtensions
{
public static void CreateMapping(this MyDbContext context, object entity, Alias alias)
{
if (entity == null || alias == null)
{
return;
}
string mappingEntityPropertyName = entity.GetType().Name;
string entityKeyPropertyName = String.Concat(mappingEntityPropertyName, "Id");
int entityId = entity.GetPropertyValue<int>(entityKeyPropertyName);
AliasMapping[] mappings =
context
.AliasMappings
.Where(mapping => mapping.AliasId == alias.AliasId)
.ToArray();
if (mappings.Any(mapping => mapping.GetPropertyValue<int?>(entityKeyPropertyName) == entityId))
{
// We already have the mapping between the specified entity and alias.
return;
}
bool usableMappingExists = true;
var usableMapping = mappings.FirstOrDefault(mapping => mapping.GetPropertyValue<int?>(entityKeyPropertyName) == null);
if (usableMapping == null)
{
usableMappingExists = false;
usableMapping = new AliasMapping()
{
Alias = alias
};
}
usableMapping.SetPropertyValue(mappingEntityPropertyName, entity);
usableMapping.SetPropertyValue(entityKeyPropertyName, entityId);
if (!usableMappingExists)
{
context.AliasMappings.Add(usableMapping);
}
// This step is required here, I think due to using reflection.
context.SaveChanges();
}
public static void RemoveMapping(this MyDbContext context, object entity, Alias alias)
{
if (entity == null || alias == null)
{
return;
}
string mappingEntityPropertyName = entity.GetType().Name;
string entityKeyPropertyName = String.Concat(mappingEntityPropertyName, "Id");
int entityId = entity.GetPropertyValue<int>(entityKeyPropertyName);
AliasMapping[] mappings =
context
.AliasMappings
.Where(mapping => mapping.AliasId == alias.AliasId)
.ToArray();
AliasMapping currentMapping = mappings.FirstOrDefault(mapping => mapping.GetPropertyValue<int?>(entityKeyPropertyName) == entityId);
if (currentMapping == null)
{
// There is no mapping between the specified entity and alias.
return;
}
currentMapping.SetPropertyValue(mappingEntityPropertyName, null);
currentMapping.SetPropertyValue(entityKeyPropertyName, null);
// This step is required here, I think due to using reflection.
context.SaveChanges();
}
}
Step #5: Updated the console app steps to align it with the changes.
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Consider specify the appropriate database initializer!
// I use DropCreateDatabaseAlways<> strategy only for this example.
Database.SetInitializer(new DropCreateDatabaseAlways<MyDbContext>());
var aliases =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 9)
.Select(index => new Alias() { Name = String.Format("Alias{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
var attributes =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 5)
.Select(index => new Attribute() { Name = String.Format("Attribute{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
var nodes =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 5)
.Select(index => new Node() { Name = String.Format("Node{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
var tags =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 5)
.Select(index => new Tag() { Name = String.Format("Tag{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
using (var context = new MyDbContext())
{
context.Aliases.AddRange(aliases);
context.Nodes.AddRange(nodes);
context.Attributes.AddRange(attributes);
context.Tags.AddRange(tags);
// Always save changes after adding an entity but before trying to create a mapping.
context.SaveChanges();
// One Alias To Many Entities
context.CreateMapping(nodes[0], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(nodes[1], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(nodes[2], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(nodes[3], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(attributes[0], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(attributes[1], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(attributes[2], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(tags[0], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(tags[1], aliases[0]);
// One Entity To Many Aliases
context.CreateMapping(nodes[4], aliases[0]);
context.CreateMapping(nodes[4], aliases[1]);
context.CreateMapping(nodes[4], aliases[2]);
context.CreateMapping(attributes[3], aliases[1]);
context.CreateMapping(attributes[3], aliases[3]);
context.CreateMapping(tags[2], aliases[2]);
context.CreateMapping(tags[2], aliases[3]);
// Remove mapping
context.RemoveMapping(nodes[4], aliases[0]);
// Not really needed here as both 'CreateMapping' and 'RemoveMapping' save the changes
context.SaveChanges();
}
Console.Write("Press any key to continue . . .");
Console.ReadKey(true);
}
}
Please note: RemoveMapping() will not delete an AliasMapping even if no entity is associated with it! But CreateMapping() will make use of it later if needed. E.g. look at the screenshot below and check AliasMapping where Id = 5.
Screenshot about the execution result:
You were talking about many-to-many relationship but reading your post I think it is more likely a "special one-to-many" relationship, actually "combined multiple one-to-one" relationship as I see that an Alias can be mapped to a single Node AND/OR to a single Attribute AND/OR to a single Tag.
I think I found a solution for this case.
If it's not the case and an Alias can be mapped to multiple Node AND/OR to multiple Attribute AND/OR to multiple Tag then I think this solution below needs only a small change. :)
Step #1 - These are my example models
public class Node
{
[Key]
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual AliasMapping AliasMapping { get; set; }
}
public class Attribute
{
[Key]
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual AliasMapping AliasMapping { get; set; }
}
public class Tag
{
[Key]
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual AliasMapping AliasMapping { get; set; }
}
public class Alias
{
[Key]
public int AliasId { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual AliasMapping AliasMapping { get; set; }
}
Step #2 - Creating the custom mapping table
public class AliasMapping
{
[Key]
[ForeignKey("Alias")]
public int AliasId { get; set; }
public Alias Alias { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("Node")]
public int NodeId { get; set; }
public virtual Node Node { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("Attribute")]
public int AttributeId { get; set; }
public virtual Attribute Attribute { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("Tag")]
public int TagId { get; set; }
public virtual Tag Tag { get; set; }
}
Step #3 - Creating the DbContext
public class MyDbContext : DbContext
{
public DbSet<Node> Nodes { get; set; }
public DbSet<Attribute> Attributes { get; set; }
public DbSet<Tag> Tags { get; set; }
public DbSet<Alias> Aliases { get; set; }
public DbSet<AliasMapping> AliasMappings { get; set; }
protected override void OnModelCreating(DbModelBuilder modelBuilder)
{
modelBuilder
.Entity<AliasMapping>()
.HasOptional(mapping => mapping.Attribute)
.WithOptionalPrincipal(attribute => attribute.AliasMapping)
.Map(config => config.MapKey("AliasId"));
modelBuilder
.Entity<AliasMapping>()
.HasOptional(mapping => mapping.Node)
.WithOptionalPrincipal(node => node.AliasMapping)
.Map(config => config.MapKey("AliasId"));
modelBuilder
.Entity<AliasMapping>()
.HasOptional(mapping => mapping.Tag)
.WithOptionalPrincipal(tag => tag.AliasMapping)
.Map(config => config.MapKey("AliasId"));
}
}
Step #4 - Creating extension method so that creating a relationship will be easy
public static class AliasExtensions
{
public static void CreateMapping<TEntity>(this MyDbContext context, TEntity entity, Alias alias)
{
string mappingEntityPropertyName = typeof(TEntity).Name;
string entityKeyPropertyName = String.Concat(mappingEntityPropertyName, "Id");
bool entityExists = true;
var mapping = context.AliasMappings.Find(alias.AliasId);
if (mapping == null)
{
entityExists = false;
mapping = new AliasMapping()
{
Alias = alias
};
}
typeof(AliasMapping)
.GetProperty(mappingEntityPropertyName)
.SetValue(mapping, entity);
typeof(AliasMapping)
.GetProperty(entityKeyPropertyName)
.SetValue(mapping, typeof(TEntity).GetProperty("Id").GetValue(entity));
if (!entityExists)
{
context.AliasMappings.Add(mapping);
}
}
}
Step #5 - Created a console app to see this working
class Program
{
static readonly Random rnd = new Random(DateTime.Now.TimeOfDay.Milliseconds);
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Database.SetInitializer(new DropCreateDatabaseAlways<MyDbContext>());
var aliases =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 9)
.Select(index => new Alias() { Name = String.Format("Alias{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
var attributes =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 5)
.Select(index => new Attribute() { Name = String.Format("Attribute{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
var nodes =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 5)
.Select(index => new Node() { Name = String.Format("Node{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
var tags =
Enumerable
.Range(1, 5)
.Select(index => new Tag() { Name = String.Format("Tag{0:00}", index) })
.ToList();
using (var context = new MyDbContext())
{
context.Aliases.AddRange(aliases);
context.Nodes.AddRange(nodes);
context.Attributes.AddRange(attributes);
context.Tags.AddRange(tags);
context.SaveChanges();
// Associate aliases to attributes
attributes.ForEach(attribute =>
{
var usableAliases = aliases.Where(alias => alias.AliasMapping?.Attribute == null).ToList();
var selectedAlias = usableAliases[rnd.Next(usableAliases.Count)];
context.CreateMapping(attribute, selectedAlias);
});
// Associate aliases to nodes
nodes.ForEach(node =>
{
var usableAliases = aliases.Where(alias => alias.AliasMapping?.Node == null).ToList();
var selectedAlias = usableAliases[rnd.Next(usableAliases.Count)];
context.CreateMapping(node, selectedAlias);
});
// Associate aliases to tags
tags.ForEach(tag =>
{
var usableAliases = aliases.Where(alias => alias.AliasMapping?.Tag == null).ToList();
var selectedAlias = usableAliases[rnd.Next(usableAliases.Count)];
context.CreateMapping(tag, selectedAlias);
});
context.SaveChanges();
}
Console.Write("Press any key to continue . . .");
Console.ReadKey(true);
}
}
I want to remove a row in database and insert it again with the same Id, It sounds ridiculous, but here is the scenario:
The domain classes are as follows:
public class SomeClass
{
public int SomeClassId { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public virtual Behavior Behavior { get; set; }
}
public abstract class Behavior
{
public int BehaviorId { get; set; }
}
public class BehaviorA : Behavior
{
public string BehaviorASpecific { get; set; }
}
public class BehaviorB : Behavior
{
public string BehaviorBSpecific { get; set; }
}
The entity context is
public class TestContext : DbContext
{
public DbSet<SomeClass> SomeClasses { get; set; }
public DbSet<Behavior> Behaviors { get; set; }
protected override void OnModelCreating(DbModelBuilder modelBuilder)
{
base.OnModelCreating(modelBuilder);
modelBuilder.Conventions.Remove<OneToManyCascadeDeleteConvention>();
modelBuilder.Entity<SomeClass>()
.HasOptional(s => s.Behavior)
.WithRequired()
.WillCascadeOnDelete(true);
}
}
Now this code can be executed to demonstrate the point
(described with comments in the code below)
using(TestContext db = new TestContext())
{
var someClass = new SomeClass() { Name = "A" };
someClass.Behavior = new BehaviorA() { BehaviorASpecific = "Behavior A" };
db.SomeClasses.Add(someClass);
// Here I have two classes with the state of added which make sense
var modifiedEntities = db.ChangeTracker.Entries()
.Where(entity => entity.State != System.Data.Entity.EntityState.Unchanged).ToList();
// They save with no problem
db.SaveChanges();
// Now I want to change the behavior and it causes entity to try to remove the behavior and add it again
someClass.Behavior = new BehaviorB() { BehaviorBSpecific = "Behavior B" };
// Here it can be seen that we have a behavior A with the state of deleted and
// behavior B with the state of added
modifiedEntities = db.ChangeTracker.Entries()
.Where(entity => entity.State != System.Data.Entity.EntityState.Unchanged).ToList();
// But in reality when entity sends the query to the database it replaces the
// remove and insert with an update query (this can be seen in the SQL Profiler)
// which causes the discrimenator to remain the same where it should change.
db.SaveChanges();
}
How to change this entity behavior so that delete and insert happens instead of the update?
A possible solution is to make the changes in 2 different steps: before someClass.Behavior = new BehaviorB() { BehaviorBSpecific = "Behavior B" }; insert
someClass.Behaviour = null;
db.SaveChanges();
The behaviour is related to the database model. BehaviourA and B in EF are related to the same EntityRecordInfo and has the same EntitySet (Behaviors).
You have the same behaviour also if you create 2 different DbSets on the context because the DB model remains the same.
EDIT
Another way to achieve a similar result of 1-1 relationship is using ComplexType. They works also with inheritance.
Here an example
public class TestContext : DbContext
{
public TestContext(DbConnection connection) : base(connection, true) { }
public DbSet<Friend> Friends { get; set; }
public DbSet<LessThanFriend> LessThanFriends { get; set; }
}
public class Friend
{
public Friend()
{Address = new FullAddress();}
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public FullAddress Address { get; set; }
}
public class LessThanFriend
{
public LessThanFriend()
{Address = new CityAddress();}
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public CityAddress Address { get; set; }
}
[ComplexType]
public class CityAddress
{
public string Cap { get; set; }
public string City { get; set; }
}
[ComplexType]
public class FullAddress : CityAddress
{
public string Street { get; set; }
}
I have seriously spent two work days trying to a TPH setup from Database First to Code first. The Error I get is Something like "Invalid Column Name Entity_EntityId/ Entity_Entity_Id1"
I've drawn up a very basic reproduction of the issue like so:
internal class Program
{
private static void Main(string[] args)
{
using (var context = new Context())
{
var baseClass = new Base {Name = "Test"};
context.BaseClasses.Add(baseClass);
context.SaveChanges();
var baseClasses = context.BaseClasses.ToList();
}
}
}
Context:
public class Context : DbContext
{
public Context() : base("TPH")
{
}
public DbSet<Base> BaseClasses { get; set; }
public DbSet<Derived> DervDerivedClasses { get; set; }
protected override void OnModelCreating(DbModelBuilder modelBuilder)
{
}
}
Mapping:
public class BaseMap : EntityTypeConfiguration<Base>
{
public BaseMap()
{
HasKey(b => b.Id);
Property(b => b.Name);
HasOptional(b => b.AnotherClass)
.WithMany(b => b.Bases)
.HasForeignKey(b => b.AnotherClassId);
Map(b => b.Requires("Disc").HasValue(1));
}
}
public class DerivedMap : EntityTypeConfiguration<Derived>
{
public DerivedMap()
{
HasKey(b => b.Id);
Property(b => b.Name);
HasOptional(b => b.AnotherClass)
.WithMany(b => b.Deriveds)
.HasForeignKey(b => b.AnotherClassId);
Map(b => b.Requires("Disc").HasValue(2));
}
}
public class SecondDerivedMap : EntityTypeConfiguration<SecondDerived>
{
public SecondDerivedMap()
{
HasKey(b => b.Id);
Property(b => b.Name);
HasOptional(b => b.AnotherClass)
.WithMany(b => b.SecondDeriveds)
.HasForeignKey(b => b.AnotherClassId);
Map(b => b.Requires("Disc").HasValue(3));
}
}
Entities:
public class Base
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public int? AnotherClassId { get; set; }
public AnotherClass AnotherClass { get; set; }
}
public class Derived : Base
{
}
public class SecondDerived : Base
{
}
public class AnotherClass
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public ICollection<Base> Bases { get; set; }
public ICollection<Derived> Deriveds { get; set; }
public ICollection<SecondDerived> SecondDeriveds { get; set; }
}
How can I get the table to just have a single "AnotherClassId?"
You're only supposed to have a single navigation property per entity per relationship -- and you have three (Bases, Deriveds, and SecondDeriveds). EF sees those properties and thinks there are three different one-to-many associations between AnotherClass and the various classes in the Base hierarchy.
If you want to get a collection of the related Derived entities from AnotherClass, you're supposed to use something like anotherClassEntity.Bases.OfType<Derived>().
please look at the code below.
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
using (myContext context = new myContext())
{
Team t = new Team();
t.id = 1;
t.Name = "asd";
context.teamSet.Add(t);
context.SaveChanges();
}
}
}
public abstract class Base
{
public virtual int id { get; set; }
}
public abstract class Player : Base
{
public virtual string Name { get; set; }
public virtual int Number { get; set; }
public virtual Team team { get; set; }
[ForeignKey("team")]
public int teamId { get; set; }
}
public class Team : Base
{
public ICollection<Player> Players { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
}
public class FootballPlayer : Player
{
public double Speed { get; set; }
}
public class BasketballPlayer : Player
{
public double Height { get; set; }
public double Speed { get; set; }
}
public class myContext : DbContext
{
public DbSet<Player> playerSet { get; set; }
public DbSet<Team> teamSet { get; set; }
protected override void OnModelCreating(DbModelBuilder modelBuilder)
{
modelBuilder.Configurations.Add(new BaseConfiguration()).Add(new PlayerConfiguration()).Add(new TeamConfiguration()).Add(new FootballConfiguration()).Add(new BasketballConfiguration());
}
}
public class BaseConfiguration : EntityTypeConfiguration<Base>
{
public BaseConfiguration()
{
HasKey(k => k.id);
Property(p => p.id).IsRequired().HasDatabaseGeneratedOption(DatabaseGeneratedOption.None);
}
}
public class PlayerConfiguration : EntityTypeConfiguration<Player>
{
public PlayerConfiguration()
{
Map(p=>{
p.MapInheritedProperties();
p.ToTable("Player");
});
}
}
public class TeamConfiguration : EntityTypeConfiguration<Team>
{
public TeamConfiguration()
{
Map(p =>
{
p.MapInheritedProperties();
p.ToTable("Team");
});
}
}
public class FootballConfiguration : EntityTypeConfiguration<FootballPlayer>
{
public FootballConfiguration()
{
ToTable("FootballPlayer");
}
}
public class BasketballConfiguration : EntityTypeConfiguration<BasketballPlayer>
{
public BasketballConfiguration()
{
ToTable("BasketballPlayer");
}
}
My Player class and Team Class are derived from Based Class, and FootballPlayer and BasketballPlayer are derived from Player. But in the generated database, Player table doesn't contain a FK teamId, it is only a common property. Furthermore, the FootballPlayer and BasketballPlayer tables don't contains the properties which derived from Player class. Anyone can help?
What inheritance mapping are you trying to achieve? At the moment you have TPC between Base and Player and TPT between Player and its derived types. If you want to have inherited properties in those derived types you must use TPC as well but in such case there should be no Player table in your database. To use TPC for player you must use MapInheritedProperties in their mapping configurations.