Trying to Extend ProDinner Chef class with collection of Phone Numbers

Question

I am trying to extend ProDinner by adding phone numbers to Chef.

1. ChefInput view model:

   public class ChefInput :Input
   {  
       public string Name { get; set; }
   
       public ChefInput()
       {
           PhoneNumberInputs = new List<PhoneNumberInput>(){
                               new PhoneNumberInput()
                           };}
   
       public IList<PhoneNumberInput> PhoneNumberInputs { get; set; }
   }
   

2. PhoneInput view model:

   public class PhoneNumberInput :Input
   {
       public string Number { get; set; }
       public PhoneType PhoneType { get; set; } <-- an enum in Core project
   }
   

3. Chef Create.cshtml file:

      @using (Html.BeginForm())
      {
   
       @Html.TextBoxFor(o => o.Name)
       @Html.EditorFor(o => o.PhoneNumberInputs)
      }
   

4. PhoneNumberInput.cshtml in EditorTemplate folder:

   @using (Html.BeginCollectionItem("PhoneNumberInputs"))
   {
       @Html.DropDownListFor(m => m, new SelectList(Enum.GetNames(typeof(PreDefPhoneType)))) 
       @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.Number)
   }
   

When debugging and I stop it at Create in Crudere file, the Phone collection is null.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in Advance.

Answer 1

Joe,

You don't show your controller logic but I've got a feeling you're getting null because you're not populating the PhoneNumberInputs ViewModel. From what I can see, all you're doing is newing up the list in the model. Ensure that you fill this 'list' in your controller from the database (with the appropriate values) and i'm certain all will work as planned.

[edit] - in answer to comment. don't know what the prodinner controllers etc look like but something alsong these lines:

public ActionResult Edit(int id)
{
    var viewModel = new ChefInput();
    viewModel.ChefInput =  _context.GetById<ChefModel>(id);
    viewModel.PhoneNumberInputs = _context.All<PhoneNumberInput>();
    return View(viewModel);
}

as i said, not sure of the prodinner setup, but this is what i meant.