Question

I am building a form in Net framework 4.0 using linq to sql , and had a question about object persistence.

I have a case where a user is asked to fill out a very long form several pages in length. Since it is so long, there is a need to SAVE the data midstream.

Session level persistence is not an option, since they could SAVE the form midstream, turn off their browser, and retrieve the form partially filled later.

The form fields are mapped to a DB table, with each form being a DB row, however, several fields are required, and are set in the DB as NOT nullable. I want to provide the ability to save the data values incompletely.

What would be the best approach for saving the object midstream in it’s incomplete state, then, later when the user SUBMITS the form, submitting the validated and complete object.

NHibernate is also not an option.

Any good ideas appreciated.

Answer 1

• You could shove it in a cookie (or the forms auth ticket data) if you want them to be responsible
• You can use asp.net cache if you don’t mind the server overhead.