Question

I’ve created my application and using the database first approach. So I used the ADO.net Entity Data Model to add my database to the project and then added controllers to it that way, I don’t have any models so to speak I think? But anyway, I’ve added controllers and CRUD was added to each entity automatically.

My problem is, I want to view data from many tables on one web page. I can do this via sql but how do I use sql to pull the data I need and display it on the screen.

Answer 1

To build a little bit on Dave A’s answer:

I personally like doing this type of retrieval with database first EF.

After building the EDMX, create a simple, straight-forward POCO that mimics what you want to return. A simple example would be:

public class ComplexModelFromMultipleTables
{
   List<Car> Cars { get; set; }
   List<Bike> Bikes { get; set; }
   List<Boat> Boats { get; set; }
}

Once you’ve built the relationships in your database which is reflected in your EDMX, access it in a provider via your favorite pattern. A simple using pattern is always good, though I’ve built the more complex object with a mapper.

public ComplexModelFromMultipleTables GetObject
using (var db = new DBContext())
{
    var model = new ComplexModelFromMultipleTables
    {
        Cars = db.Cars.Where(x => x.CarType == whateveryouwant).ToList(),
        Bikes = db.Bikes.Where(x => x.anotherproperty == whateveryouwant).ToList(),
        Boats = db.Boats.Where(x => x.something else == whateveryouwant).ToList(),
    }
    return model;
}

Call this provider from your controller and strongly type the view with

@model ComplexModelFromMultipleTables

at the top of your view.