Entity Framework Code First - How to ignore a column when saving

Question

I have a class called Client mapped to a database table using Entity Framework code first. The table has a computed field that I need available in my Client class, but I understand that it won't be possible to write to this field. Is there a way of configuring Entity Framework to ignore the property when saving, but include the property when reading?

I have tried using the Ignore method in my configuration class, or using the [NotMapped] attribute, but these prevent the property from being read from the database.

Answer 1

You can use DatabaseGeneratedAttribute with DatabaseGeneratedOption.Computed option:

[DatabaseGenerated(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Computed)]
public ComputedPropertyType ComputedProperty { get; set; }

or if you prefer fluent api you can use HasDatabaseGeneratedOption method in your DbContext class:

public class EntitiesContext : DbContext
{
    public DbSet<EntityType> Enities { get; set; }

    protected override void OnModelCreating(DbModelBuilder modelBuilder)
    {
        modelBuilder.Entity<EntityType>().Property(e => e.ComputedProperty).HasDatabaseGeneratedOption(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Computed);
    }
}

Answer 2

Mark property as computed:

modelBuilder
    .Entity<MyEntityType>()
    .Property(_ => _.MyProperty)
    .HasDatabaseGeneratedOption(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Computed);