What controller Initialize function does ASP.Net MVC4

Question

i am new in MVC and learning. here i am putting some code. so see first

public class HomeController : BaseController
    {
        private IProductRepository productRepository;
        private string strRouteValue;

        protected override void Initialize(System.Web.Routing.RequestContext requestContext)
        {
            base.Initialize(requestContext);
            strRouteValue = this.ControllerContext.RouteData.Values["method"].ToString();
            this.productRepository = Factory.Create(strRouteValue);
        }

        [HttpGet]
        public ActionResult Index(int id)
        {            
            productRepository.Get(id);
            return View();
        }

        [HttpPost]
        public ActionResult Index(Product model)
        {
            productRepository.Add(model);            
            return View();
        }       
    }

what Initialize function does ?

every one must say this is where people would init many object, if so then we can do it in constructor of controller too. so what is special about controller Initialize function ?

what is difference between controller Initialize function and controller constructor ?

CodeCaster · Accepted Answer · 2023-07-12 06:33:27Z

8

For reference, here is the current MSDN documentation for Controller.Initialize(RequestContext):

Initializes data that might not be available when the constructor is called.

This method cannot be called directly, but it can be overridden to provide additional processing tasks before any ActionResult methods are called, such as setting the thread culture or assigning a custom provider for TempData objects. Note that if you override this method, your override should also call the base controller's Initialize(RequestContext) method.

edited Jul 12, 2023 at 6:33

answered Sep 16, 2015 at 14:41

CodeCaster

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3 Comments

Mou Over a year ago

can i set thread culture, assign temp data from controller constructor ? if possible then why some one will override initialize() function? i just like to know what is the difference between controller initialize() function and controller constructor ? if u know the answer then share with me.

CodeCaster Over a year ago

I know the answer, and posted it in bold.

Mantra Over a year ago

@CodeCaster would you please let me know a good book that i can read for gaining good knowledge of MVC, Dependency Injection and other good stuffs.

Gagan Jaura · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-16 14:39:10Z

2

There is a difference between instantiating a controller and initializing it. Instantiating is moreover a .NET concept not MVC, so every class is automatically instantiated using default constructor. So, constructor is basically a concept of class whereas Initializing is concept of action method. We override Initialize() method in order to provide additional processing tasks before any ActionResult methods are called, such as setting the thread culture or assigning TempData objects etc....

answered Sep 16, 2015 at 14:39

Gagan Jaura

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2 Comments

Mou Over a year ago

i post a question to the comment section of @codecaster. please see and answer if possible.

Gagan Jaura Over a year ago

Initializes data that might not be available when the constructor is called. For example, if you want to set a session then you cannot do it in constructor because HttpContext.Session will always be null there. Whereas you can do it in Intialize method. Another example, you would like to know if the request is Authenticated using HttpContext.Request.IsAuthenticated but you cannot do it in constructor as HttpContext will always be null there. I hope its pretty clear now.

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