Figuring out what data in EF model was changed during an edit?

Question

I am using EF 6 in code first to make my database and can easily save new and changed data but what I would like to figure out is an easy way to figure out what data was changed when the user edits a page. This is the code I am using in the controller for my edit page:

    [Route("Edit"), HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
    public ActionResult EditSection([Bind(Include = "ID, RouteName, Type, Title, Synopsis")] Section section, HttpPostedFileBase Logo)
    {
        SectionAddEditVM model = new SectionAddEditVM { Section = section };

        if (ModelState.IsValid)
        {

            db.Entry(section).State = EntityState.Modified;
            db.SaveChanges();
        }

        return View(model);
    }

The only way I could think of is pulling the data from the DB and doing a line by line comparison but that seems overly complicated.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

1

i Think you should use reflection like in this sample

Loop Through An Objects Properties In C#

And compare the two objects in the same way :)

The only thing you should change is the result instead of returning a boolean you could return a list of diffObjects ( just a name for a class that describes the differences.)

edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

Community

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answered Dec 31 '13 at 02:42

Softwarehuset

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As stated in my OP, I was hoping for a simpler way then a line by line comparison. – Matthew Verstraete Dec 31 '13 at 02:47
That is not possible and Jon Skeet's code is really both nice looking and generic. And when you have implemented earlier mentioned method you can use this on "all" your classes. – Softwarehuset Dec 31 '13 at 02:52
I agree, that is nice clean code to throw in a class to call up. I was just really hoping there was some built in way that was easier. – Matthew Verstraete Dec 31 '13 at 03:10

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:59

0

You can further query the Entry for it's changes. Take a look at this SO answer for an example of how to make EF do the work for you. With LINQ, you can easily consume the changes and compose them for human use, auditing, et al.

edited May 23 '17 at 11:59

Community

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answered Dec 31 '13 at 05:41

N Jones

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Figuring out what data in EF model was changed during an edit?

2 Answers2