Entity Framework Database first model generation Adding data annotations to the generated model
Example
In T4 code-generation strategy used by Entity Framework 5 and higher, data annotation attributes are not included by default. To include data annotations on top of certain property every model regeneration, open template file included with EDMX (with .tt extension) then add a using statement under UsingDirectives method like below:
foreach (var entity in typeMapper.GetItemsToGenerate<EntityType>
(itemCollection))
{
fileManager.StartNewFile(entity.Name + ".cs");
BeginNamespace(code);
#>
<#=codeStringGenerator.UsingDirectives(inHeader: false)#>
using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations; // --> add this line
As an example, suppose the template should include KeyAttribute which indicates a primary key property. To insert KeyAttribute automatically while regenerating model, find part of code containing codeStringGenerator.Property as below:
var simpleProperties = typeMapper.GetSimpleProperties(entity);
if (simpleProperties.Any())
{
foreach (var edmProperty in simpleProperties)
{
#>
<#=codeStringGenerator.Property(edmProperty)#>
<#
}
}
Then, insert an if-condition to check key property as this:
var simpleProperties = typeMapper.GetSimpleProperties(entity);
if (simpleProperties.Any())
{
foreach (var edmProperty in simpleProperties)
{
if (ef.IsKey(edmProperty)) {
#> [Key]
<# }
#>
<#=codeStringGenerator.Property(edmProperty)#>
<#
}
}
By applying changes above, all generated model classes will have KeyAttribute on their primary key property after updating model from database.
Before
using System;
public class Example
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
}
After
using System;
using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;
public class Example
{
[Key]
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
}
