Using Entity Framework in Web API Part-2

Introduction

In Part 1 of this "Using Entity Framework in Web API " series of articles we explained how to create a application and add the Model class. Now in this article we will explain how to add the Web API Controller with the Entity Framework.

Step 1

Use the following procedure to create the Controller:

• In the Solution Explorer.
• Right-click on the Controller Folder.
• Select "Add" -> "Controller".
• Select Template "API Controller with read/write actions, using Entity Framework".
  
  
  
  
• Select "Model class" from the drop down list:
  
  
  
  
• Now select "DataContext" by clicking on the new data context.
  
  
  
  
• Now see the Solution Explorer.
  
  
  

Step 2

Now perform some changes in the Context file "ItemsContext".

using System.Data.Entity;
namespace EntityAPI.Models
{
    public class ItemsContext : DbContext
    {
        // You can add custom code to this file. Changes will not be overwritten.
        //
        // If you want Entity Framework to drop and regenerate your database
        // automatically whenever you change your model schema, add the following
        // code to the Application_Start method in your Global.asax file.
        // Note: this will destroy and re-create your database with every model change.
        //
        // System.Data.Entity.Database.SetInitializer(new System.Data.Entity.DropCreateDatabaseIfModelChanges<EntityAPI.Models.ItemsContext>());
       public ItemsContext() : base("name=ItemsContext")
        {
        }
        public DbSet<Novel> Novels { get; set; }
        public DbSet<Item> Items { get; set; }
        public DbSet<ItemDetail> ItemDetails { get; set; }
    }
}

Step 3

Now add a database initializer to the Model class.

• In the "Solution Explorer".
• Right-click on the "Model Folder".
• Select "Class".
  
  
  
  
• Click on the "OK" button.

Add the following code:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Web;
using System.Data.Entity;
namespace EntityAPI.Models
{
    public class ItemsContextInitializer : DropCreateDatabaseIfModelChanges<ItemsContext>
    {
        protected override void Seed(ItemsContext context)
        {
            var novels = new List<Novel>()
            {
                new Novel() { Name = "Revolution 2020", DealPrice = 140, SellingPrice = 145 },
                new Novel() { Name = "A Calender too Crowded", DealPrice = 295, SellingPrice = 300 },
                new Novel() { Name = "How That yor are rich", DealPrice = 100, SellingPrice = 110 }
            };
            novels.ForEach(p => context.Novels.Add(p));
            context.SaveChanges();
            var item = new Item() { Customer = "Smith" };
            var od = new List<ItemDetail>()
            {
                new ItemDetail() { Novel = novels[0], Quantity = 2, Item = item},
                new ItemDetail() { Novel = novels[1], Quantity = 4, Item= item }
            };
            context.Items.Add(item);
            od.ForEach(o => context.ItemDetails.Add(o));
            context.SaveChanges();
        }
    }
}