'object' does not contain a definition for 'Name'

Question

I'm using two DataContext objects to return seperate AsQueriable() datasets then joining the two using linq. The data construction works perfectly however when I pass that combined dataset to the view, I'm getting the error 'object' does not contain a definition for 'Name'.

During a debug session I can clearly see that both the parent Model and each 'item' in the foreach loop has all the data and keys visible/accessible. I'm very confused.

Many of the other q&a's on stackoverflow.com that match this problem don't solve my issue and as a result would appreciate a fresh set of eyes and hopefully a solution to this problem.

Many thanks! - code time:

The data construction

        public ActionResult SplashImages()
        {
            var g = (from i in GetGallerySplash() join o in GetFestivals() on i.Festival equals o.ID orderby i.Rating descending select new {i.Photo, i.OwnedBy, i.Rating, o.Name });
            Response.ContentType = "text/xml";
            return View(g);
        }

        private IEnumerable<Gallery> GetGallerySplash()
        {
            GallerysDataContext gdc = new GallerysDataContext();
            return (from i in gdc.Galleries orderby i.Rating descending select i).Take(15).AsQueryable();
        }

        private IEnumerable<Festival> GetFestivals()
        {
            FestivalsDataContext fdc = new FestivalsDataContext();
            return (from i in fdc.Festivals select i).AsQueryable();
        }

VSExpress's error screen: Exception screenshot

Any guidance on a solution would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

C

possible duplicate of [Accessing C# Anonymous Type Objects](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/713521/accessing-c-sharp-anonymous-type-objects) — nawfal, Jun 28 '14 at 12:49

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 21 '11 at 10:03

4

I would suggest you create a single model to encapsulate both IEnumerable objects, e.g.

public class GalleryModel
{
    public IEnumerable<Gallery> Galleries { get; set }
    public IEnumerable<Festivals> Festivals { get; set; }
}

Then strongly type your view to match the model

...Inherits="System.Web.Mvc.ViewPage<GalleryModel>"

Then in your model, you can type-safely refer to each object, e.g.

<% foreach (var t in Model.Galleries) ...

answered Apr 21 '11 at 10:03

tobias86

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Thanks Tobias86, I was just about finishing this exact approach as I saw your answer. You are exactly right of course. I did make a new Model for the combined datasets and now the page is working perfectly. Many thanks! – Chris M Apr 21 '11 at 10:09
1

Glad to be of help. We've had to deal with similar scenarios, so I've been where you've been :) – tobias86 Apr 21 '11 at 10:11
1

I believe this is called the **MVVM** (`Model View ViewModel`) design pattern. Basically you add another layer between your Model and View - a ViewModel - allowing you to better encapsulate your model into a more view-friendly format. Many people who use the MVVM pattern add another folder called `ViewModels` to their project, emulating the usage of the Model, View, and Controller folders, and place all their ViewModel classes within. – Chad Levy Sep 15 '11 at 10:09

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:23

1

You're returning anonymous type to display in view, hence the problems. Take a look at those questions:

You can either wrap your anonymous type in actual class and use strongly typed view, or play with some dynamic magic. Linked questions cover those topics.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:23

Community

1
1

answered Apr 21 '11 at 10:10

k.m

30,794
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86

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 21 '11 at 09:51

-1

Try changing your for loop to:

<% foreach (dynamic t in Model) { %>

The use of var is causing the type of t to be inferred as object.

answered Apr 21 '11 at 09:51

Matthew Abbott

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if `Model` is not `IEnumerable – Apr 21 '11 at 09:54
Hi Matthew, I have applied that change unfortunately I still get the same error. – Chris M Apr 21 '11 at 09:54
the issue is that the anonymous type will not escape the scope of the action method and the view only knows the Model as type object. – Jimmy Bosse Feb 22 '13 at 21:37

'object' does not contain a definition for 'Name'

3 Answers3

Linked