Get Column DataType from Entity Framework Entity

Question

Using Entity Framework 5, database first.

Is it possible (at run time) to get the data type of the database column that an entity's property represents? The .net type would also work fine if that's easier.

IEnumerable<DbEntityEntry> entities =
    context.ChangeTracker.Entries()
            .Where(
                e =>
                e.State == EntityState.Added || e.State == EntityState.Modified);

foreach (DbEntityEntry entity in entities)
{
   foreach (string propertyName in entity.CurrentValues.PropertyNames)
   {
     //so I know the entity and the property name.  Can I get the data type?
   }
}

Muru Bakthavachalam · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-20 23:56:12Z

3

To get the data type of the particular column of the table:

[Assume: Entity prop class name: Vendors and column name ="VendorID"]

string columnTypName =   (context.Vendors.EntitySet.ElementType.Members["VendorID"].TypeUsage.EdmType).Name;

To get all columns names and type of the columns dynamically:

[Param : tableName]

var columns = from meta in ctx.MetadataWorkspace.GetItems(DataSpace.CSpace)
                                       .Where(m => m.BuiltInTypeKind == BuiltInTypeKind.EntityType)
                       from p in (meta as EntityType).Properties
                       .Where(p => p.DeclaringType.Name == tableName)
                       select new
                       {
                           colName = p.Name,
                           colType = p.TypeUsage.EdmType.Name
                       };

answered Mar 20, 2014 at 23:56

Muru Bakthavachalam

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2 Comments

Yusril Maulidan Raji Over a year ago

I got an error at EntitySet. "doesn't contain definition for EntitySet"

binki Over a year ago

This is really useful because it allows you to get things like EntityProperty.MaxLength and EdmProperty.IsUnicode without having to try to duplicate functionality already inside of EntityFramework.

Jace Rhea · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-19 18:13:30Z

1

Use reflection on the entity to get the property info.

foreach (DbEntityEntry entity in entities)
{
    foreach (string propertyName in entity.CurrentValues.PropertyNames)
    {
        var propertyInfo = entity.Entity.GetType().GetProperty(propertyName);
        var propertyType = propertyInfo.PropertyType;

    }
}

edited Sep 19, 2013 at 18:13

answered Sep 19, 2013 at 18:01

Jace Rhea

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