Question

I have two separate sets of tables in the same database that model the exact same data but in different states. One is a live state, and the other is a staging state (not test). I am trying to create a model that will allow me to choose which datasource/datacontext to use at runtime, but they must both have the same model.

public TestObject GetTestObject(string testNum, string Environment)
{
    IDataContext context = DataContextFactory.GetContext(Environment);
    TestObject t = (from test in context.Orderable
                         where test.TestNumber == testNum
                         select test).FirstOrDefault();
    return t;
}

Obviously, based on the code above, if the Environment is Staging, I pull from a set of tables. If the Environment is Live, then I pull from a different set of tables.

So, normally with EF, I will get two separate models with different names. If I try give them the same name I get errors stating that there is already an object with that name in the project.

I have recently looked into my own POCO to consume the database, but have not been able to connect the dots to create a solution.

EDIT: Changed from “Two datasources” to “Two sets of tables in the same database”. This was obviously confusing, my apologies.

Answer 1

Is it possible? Probably. Is it a good idea? No. Will it take more time than it’s worth to make it work? Most likely.