I'm unable to drag a new table onto my entity framework designer. When I drag the table over the designer, the icon of a circle with a line through it shows up and I can't drop the table onto the designer.
From my research, it seems the biggest issue is the table missing a primary key. Well, my table has a primary key.
Another site suggested: "Please remember that your tables should be related to each other instead of isolating themselves from each other." I'm not sure how that makes sense. Some tables just aren't related to others.
Any ideas on what I'm missing?
I think I may have found it. This link states that if the Visual Database Tools DLL gets updated, that could cause the problem. I did indeed just recently install SQL Server Data Tools.
However, instead of trying that fix, I found a decent work-around: I simply right-clicked on the designer and chose Update Model from Database... That worked.
Hope this helps someone else that's having this issue...
Related
I am getting a couple of these errors that make perfect sense as they are on views. I understand what they mean, however I am looking for a way to prevent that warning message from being generated with the model. I thought I could edit the .edmx XML to remove the errors but the warnings get regenerated. I have a key defined on the views although it doesn't seem to have helped.
Any way to get rid of these warnings? Or is there someway to have the Entity Framework realize that this is not an editable table and that is doesn't need a primary key? I'm asking mostly from a project aesthetics point-of-view (I don't like seeing warnings in my Error List).
I perfectly understand where you're coming from. This is one of the biggest annoyances I've had to deal with when trying to get to grips with the EF and, apparently, it's a very common issue.
The solution that worked for me was to open the EDMX with the view in designer mode and assign a primary key myself. It doesn't matter really what it is, as long as there is one. You right-click on the column you want to set as primary key and select Entity Key (it's a checkbox option). You may have to exit and restart Visual Studio until this warning decides to go away.
I hope it works for you too. But even if it does, it's a short-term fix, as the next time you update your view, it will probably have the same problem. But as long as the above steps work, it should take just seconds to fix.
Also, here's some links you might find useful:
SO: Entity Framework and SQL Server View
SO: cannot add view to the edmx
ASP.NET forum: Entity model from table views.
In my case this has solved easily, below are steps:
Clean up the solution
Close Visual Studio
Open Visual Studio
Clean up and Build the solution
Before trying anything, this can be tried to make sure you are not changing anything manually in edmx.
I hope this will help.
I have had luck in EF4 and EF5 using the technique described by http://www.hilmiaric.com/?p=95 using rownumber as the ID
SELECT ISNULL((ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY XXX ASC)), 0) AS 'ID',
But I don't have a solution for EF5 and above. Last tried on 6.1.3
Entity Framework can be so frustrating at times. I really wish that Microsoft would get off its behind and fix all the problems with the EF Visual Modeler and updating the model from database. I just spent the last half hour cleaning up duplicate fields in a view through manual modification of the .edmx file, and I also encountered a bad build and this problem once again:
<!--Errors Found During Generation:
warning 6002: The table/view 'BMP_DBA.BMP_INST_DATA_SEARCH_VIEW' does not have a primary key defined. The key has been inferred and the definition was created as a read-only table/view.
-->
Alas, I had to do like I have always done, and manually set the Primary key by right clicking on it in the designer, and then restarting Visual Studio and then rebuilding the app. When I rebuild I still get the warning in the .edmx file but the build now works. This is just one of the nuances of dealing with EF.
Check the database table for primary key. Maybe the ID column marked as identity but not as primary key.
I have a serious problem that needs to be resolved.
In my server explorer in VS2013, I set up a connection to the database with valid user and password credentials.
So I have a schema called: Connect1, and it needs to have access to another schema called Connect2, both under the same data source name: Dev1. The user I'm connecting with is called Connect1, so by default I'm connected to the schema Connect1. I was able to verify that I have access permissions for this user to connect to Connect2.
Using ODP.NET Managed Driver, I was able to set this up. Putting all the connection details.
Configurations are shown in this page:
Using Oracle Developer Tools for Visual Studio
In order to allow the schemas to be viewed, I had to change the Filters tab, and add all the related schemas I'm using (adding Connect2). Then I click update, and I'm able to use the tables into my edmx file.
However, the problem occurs when I close Visual Studios. My filter gets lost, and my connection is back to using only Connect1.
This then destroys my table mapping in my edmx file with a series of
Error 11007: Entity type 'Table1' is not mapped
This is really frustrating as I'd have to keep on repeating the same procedure over and over again manually remapping all my tables.
What's confusing is when I update the data connection from my Server Explorer to include the second schema.. EF works and detects the tables; but my app config and the connection string has not been changed. So this leads me to believe that if I was to promote my project to production or test, that it will break since there's nothing in my project to show that Connect2 is needed.
Okay I realize the big pitfall that was never explained properly. I highly urge people to follow this if you ever want to use EF with Oracle and you're using another schema.
The pitfall is that since we introduced oracle's schema convention to the EDMX, there was no way of knowing how volatile the mappings would become. The reason why this was never a problem for microsoft is because there is no such thing as a schema in SQL server. To implement two databases in the same edmx file, there is some visible prevention that inhibits you from adding any tables whatsoever. After we introduce schemas, it becomes very fragile.
So what you have to do is follow the steps of adding the schema (as I explained in the question). Going to Filter tab, adding the schemas that way, and clicking the Update button.
Once that is applied to the server explorer, the edmx will have access to adding the tables from that schema. When you do, the EDMX has recollection of the schema embedded in its file. So if you ever do close visual studios, and reopen and run the project, it will still work.
Here are the few tips you want to AVOID:
Do not rename any of the entities and the columns (properties), even though it makes your code more readable. That's the first uh-oh. Since the mappings are very volatile, if you happen to mess up, remapping everything back again will be a chore.
The second uh-oh, is when you close Visual Studios, reopen it again, forget to reinclude your schema in Server Explorer, go to the edmx and do "Update model from database" to include anything else (but most importantly.. EVEN IF YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING) and you click OK, your model will still update regardless of non-changes, lose all the mappings that you previously made. That is what I mean by the maps being volatile.
In case that happens, and you didn't do the first uh-oh of renaming entities or the properties.. is to delete all your entities already there, and re-add them again.
The reason why you want to delete all the entities is because adding new ones with the same name will add a new entity with the same name + a number. So something like entity of Customer will still be there, adding the entity again will create a new entity called Customer1.
Sigh.
I often get errors when running test cases after changing relationships. When checking the relationships on the data diagram I notice that they are often not reflecting any of the changes I did or only some of them, confusing the model. This only seems to be the case when creating the diagram within Server Explorer of Visual Studio. When creating the diagram in SQL Server the changes show up fine.
Unfortunately, this also affects testing the code, because I'm never sure if a fails because of a problem with a change in the relationships I did or Visual Studio not updating. Having to detach and attach the database each time is a bit of a pain.
The database is dropped and recreated correctly, but Visual Studio seems to run the code against a cached version. Had anybody else similar problems, any fix?
I've certainly seen issues where I've updated SPs/function imports and tried to update the associated complex type, the dialog window says 'update', 'delete' etc next to the columns changed, so it's certainly seeing the different, but when applying the update these often don't seem to take and I end up manually adjusting the complex type.
In the above example I'm not sure whether the correct approach is to delete and recreate the type, but the existence of the update functions seem to suggest that an update should be possible. As you say mine too feels like a caching issue and whilst I've not yet found a solution I will be interested to see if you can find a solution, if I make any ground on this I will post back here too!
newbie to Entity Framework here. Using VS 2010 and SQL Server 2008 express DB.
I was having trouble refreshing an Entity Data Model after adding new tables. So, I followed a suggestion I found here to just delete and regenerate the model.
I get to the "Choose Your Data Connection" section of the Entity Data Model Wizard and "Save entity connection settings in Web.config as:" is checked. However, my existing name has a 1 appended to it. For example MyDatabaseEntities is now MyDatabaseEntities1. Of course, I don't want the "1" appended. I killed the existing connection string in Web.config and removed all references to that name in my solution. Yet when I try to continue I'm presented with the following error:
"'MyDatabaseEntites' conflicts with an existing property name in the Application Settings. Please choose a different name"
I can't find a reference to that name anywhere in the solution. I can uncheck that option and it will continue, but it STILL won't add two of the tables in the database. Next, I completely shut everything down, rebooted, and tried again. This time I didn't get the error above, but two of my three new tables still do not get added to the edmx model.
Any ideas are appreciated. Also this seems like it's still pretty buggy even in VS2010/.NET 4. Help restore my faith...I feel like abandoning Entity Framework at this point. Based on my experience so far and some of the other issues posted here, I feel like I'm going to spend more time chasing Entity Framework strangeness than writing useful code.
UPDATE: I found a resolution. The designer doesn't display errors. You have have to look in the native XML (edmx file) to see the errors. See here: ADO.NET Entity Framework: Update Wizard will not add tables
The error is caused by leftover connection strings in settings in "App.Config" file (see solution explorer) and it's in this section:
"connectionStrings" (surrounded by angle brackets)
Just delete it from there.
Restart IIS if you develop web app.
Restart Visual Studio After Deleting The EntityDataModel Connection
String Line from web.config or app.config
Add New Entity Data Model and rename it like old name,
I don't know the specific answer to your problem, but I think I can recommend an approach that will clear up this conflict.
I generally break my EF work into a separate library. If I'm working on Cyberdyne.Terminator, I make an EF class library called Cyberdyne.Terminator.Data. That way, if you want to blow away the model and start over, everything is separate from your dependent files, and in particular, your web.config.
None of this is likely to fix the missing tables, probably. The one thing I've seen where this happens is if I add a table, and then delete it. It will not appear again in the "Add Tables" dialog (and you have to rename it to get it to show). But I thought that was fixed in EF 4.0. Dunno. If the problem persists you might try renaming the table, re-adding it, and then renaming it back if it shows up.
EF is a pain in the ass to be sure. The only thing I can tell you is that I've generally had to work through these headaches, learn the issue, and never be bothered by them again. If you can't stand EF, you might also look at NHibernate - I have a very strong impression of that as well.
Double check your connection strings, and keep scrolling to the right. Most often, when this happens to me, Visual Studio has appended a connection string behind another. I've done this a couple times, and wondered where my app config was (no, there is no app config, just web config in mvc), so the dialog is a little confusing. Sure enough, most likely that connection string is lurking directly behind another!
Just press
Ctrl+F
keys and in dropdown list select 'EntireSolution/CurrentProject', then press enter. where ever this name generated it will show you.
I get into web.config file. so delete that generated complete connection line from there. and re add it again. Then hope you may not get this message again.Thank you..
Actually this is frustrating, since you trying to see in app.config that if there's a another string and you see only 1 string, Actually What VS does is sometimes append second string in the same line. see this picture below
Does it look like there are 2 ConnectionStrings? (ACTUALLY YES)
Now, see this pic:
Also you can press Ctrl+ED to format the config file and see if there's another second string hiding somewhere. Hope this will help someone.
im so sorry for my english
but the solution is simply.
you have to delete the ado.net
then, go to app.conf and delete the connection string<>,
DEBUG your project and finally add the new database through ado.net
TO ADD ADO.NET
RIGHT CLICK ON YOUR PROJECT NAME, THEN, ADD NEW ITEM, DATA AND SEARCH ADO.NET...
I hope help you, have good day!
angelsantacruzm
If you build the edmx file from the database and then the db changes, how do you get the model to pick up the change?
Do you delete the whole model and regenerate or can you detect changes?
I see a post mentioning a "Update Your Model" rt. mouse command on the edmx file, but I dont see it.
Updating your edmx to reflect changes made in your db (.net linq-to-entities)
I'm just starting out.
Are you looking at the designer or code view? You can force the designer to open by right clicking on your EDMX file and selecting Open With -> ADO.NET Entity Data Model Designer
Right click on the designer surface of the EDMX designer and click Update Model From Database...
All entities are refreshed by default, new entities are only added if you select them.
EDIT:
If it is not refreshing well.
Select all the tables and view-s in the EDMX designer.
Delete them.
Then, update model from database
I have found the designer "update from database" can only handle small changes. If you have deleted tables, changed foreign keys or (gasp) changed the signature of a stored procedure with a function mapping, you will eventually get to such a messed up state you will have to either delete all the entities and "add from database" or simply delete the edmx resource and start over.
This might help you guys.(I've applied this to my Projects)
Here's the 3 easy steps.
Go to your Solution Explorer. Look for .edmx file (Usually found on root level)
Open that .edmx file, a Model Diagram window appears. Right click anywhere on that window and select "Update Model from Database". An Update Wizard window appears. Click Finish to update your model.
Save that .edmx file.
That's it. It will sync/refresh your Model base on the changes on your database.
For detailed instructions. Please visit the link below.
EF Database First with ASP.NET MVC: Changing the Database and updating its model.
Update CodeFirst Model is not possible automatically. I don't recommend either.
Because one of the benefits of code first is you can work with POCO classes. If you changed this POCO classes you don't want some auto generated code to destroy your work.
But you can create some template solution add your updated/added entity to the new model. then collect and move your new cs file to your working project.
this way you will not have a conflict if it is a new entity you can simply adding related cs file to the existing project. if it is an update just add a new property from the file.
If you just adding some couple of columns to one or two of your tables you can manually add them to your POCO class you don't need any extra works and that is the beauty of Working with Code-First and POCO classes.
Here:
Delete the Tables from the EDMX designer
Rebuild Project/SLN (this will clear the model class)
Update Model from Database(readd all the tables you want)
Rebuild project/SLN (this will recreate your model class including the new columns)
You need to be careful though,
You need to setup the EDMX file exactly as it was before deleting it (if you choose the delete/regenerate route), otherwise, you'll have a naming mismatch between your code and the EF generated model (especialy for pluralization and singularization)
Hope this will prevent you some headaches =)
Double click on the .edmx file then right_click anywhere on the screen and choose "Update Modle From DB".
In the new window go to the "Refresh" tab and choose the changed table/view and click Finish.
I just had to update an .edmx model. The model/Run Custom Tool option was not refreshing the fields for me, but once I had the graphical designer open, I was able to manually rename the fields.
I've been working on a project, not too large, that incorporates Entity Framework, about a dozen tables, and about 15 stored procs and functions. After weeks of development, attempting to refresh my tables and stored procs has yielded mixed results as far as successfully updating the model. Sometimes the changes are effective, most times they are not. Simple column changes (changing order, adding, removing, or renaming) sometimes works, most times does not. Visual Studio seems to have more problems with refreshing than just adding new. It also exhibits more problems with stored proc changes not being reflected, especially when columns are added or deleted or renamed. I have not detected any consistent behavior so i can't say "This type of change will always be updated and this type of change will not".
End result, if you want 100% effective solution, delete the EDMX file from the project, "Add new" item to project (ADO.NET Entity Data Model), and make sure you use the same name for the Model Name. This works every time.