Example: Let's say I have these three classes. Foo is a proper Entity Framework entity with a DbSet whereas I want my EF DbContext to be unaware of Bar and Baz because I have flagged Foo's Bar property with my made up SerializedColumn attribute. By applying that attribute, I want EF to serialize the instance of Bar with its Bazes into a single string field, and transparently deserialize Bar to a Bar object when a Foo is materialized by EF.
public class Foo
{
    public Guid Id { get; set; }
    [SerializedColumn]
    public Bar Bar { get; set; }
    // ..
}
public class Bar
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public Baz[] Baz { get; set; }
    // ..
}
public class Baz
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
    // ..
}
So Foo's table columns would look like:
[Id] [uniqueidentifier] NOT NULL
[Bar] [nvarchar](max) NULL
And when I query a Foo I get back one with the Bar property already deserialized. When I insert or update a Foo the Bar property gets serialized by EF without me having to think about it. The only thing I have to do is add the [SerializeColumn] attribute to properties.
Goals:
Bar property to turn into a "Bar_Id" field that points to a "Bar" table. Instead I want a nvarchar(max) "Bar" field that will contain the serialized version of a Bar object. If this simply isn't possible, please say so in your answer.Notes:
ComplexType does not serve my needs. I need deep serialization and do not need to be able to filter or sort on any properties of what has been serialized.The only solution is this,
public class Foo
{
    public Guid Id { get; set; }
    // Not Mapped attribute will make EF
    // ignore this property completely
    [NotMapped]
    public Bar BarObject { 
      get;
      set;
    }
    public string Bar{
       get{
          return JsonConvert.Serialize(BarObject);
       }
       set{
          BarObject = JsonConvert.Deserialize<BarObject>(value);
       }
    }
}
Updated as per suggestion by @zds
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With