Question
I want to use AutoMapper to construct a ViewModel (flattening - data projection) for use in an ASP.net MVC app.
var tmp = from x in db.Mailings select Mapper.Map<Mailing, MailingViewModel>(x);
return View(tmp.ToList());
Of course, when I try the sample above, I get the EF error "LINQ to Entities does not recognize the method ... method, and this method cannot be translated into a store expression."
I know it's possible to move the .ToList() before the Automapper does its magic, but then I fetch all the fields from the Db (and I only need 3 of 20 fields)
Is it possible to use that in a clean way. Clean = Not all the fields are fetched from the DB, but only the fields necessary for the ViewModel. Is it possible in Automapper? Or perhaps an other library? (without doing it manually ;) )
Accepted Answer
Yes this is very possible. See here http://www.devtrends.co.uk/blog/stop-using-automapper-in-your-data-access-code
Edit: I've recently found that the basis to this already exists in AutoMapper. add a using statement for AutoMapper.QueryableExtensions and you are provided with an IQueryable extension called Project<>()
Popular Answer
You can simply call:
var tmp = from x in db.Mailings
select new MailingViewModel
{
FirstName = x.FirstName,
LastName = x.LastName,
Address = x.Address
};
You don't need AutoMapper for simple projection if you access EF directly in controller.
You can't involve AutoMapper in linq-to-entities query - no way. You must either return entity (or another projected object) and map it by AutoMapper or use plain projection without AutoMapper.
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