Generic method to get a list for each Entity Framework class

Question

I have this method for my Entity Framework class (v6) to get all the elements in this table from my database:

List<FooClass> GetAll_FooClass()
{
    return dbContext.FooClass.ToList();
}

So what I would like is a method which would do the same but would be usable on each entity class I have (individually I mean).

Is it possible and if so, how can I implement it ?

EDIT: I seem to have mistaken FooClass for a class whereas it is a property of the dbContext object.

public class MyDbContext : DbContext
{
    public MyDbContext()
    { }

    public virtual DbSet<FooClass> FooClass { get; set; }
}

So I'm trying to use System.Type right now (PropertyInfo and MethodInfo).

Side note => I think you might look at some coding conventions because naming like GetAll_myEntityClass is so... — CodeNotFound
– CodeNotFound, Commented Jun 6, 2018 at 15:38
I tried what @DavidG suggested and got this notification from Visual Studio: 'DbContext.Set<TEntity>' is a method, which is not valid in the given context. So I confused the current FooClass which is a property whithin MyDbContext class with the entity class it is named after: public class MyDbContext : DbContext { public virtual DbSet<FooClass> FooClass { get; set; } } — Oudini
– Oudini, Commented Jun 7, 2018 at 8:41

DavidG · Accepted Answer · 2018-06-07 09:45:16Z

4

You can use a generic method that takes the type of the entity. For example:

public List<TEntity> GetAll<TEntity>() 
    where TEntity : class //This is important as the Set method requires it
{
    //Obviously don't do this, but for completeness:
    var dbContext = new MyContext();

    //And here is the real 'magic':
    return dbContext.Set<TEntity>().ToList();
}

To use it, assuming you have a context that looks something like this:

public class MyContext : DbContext
{
    public DbSet<Zombie> Zombies { get; set; }
    public DbSet<Human> Humans { get; set; }
}

You would call it like this:

var allOfTheZombies = GetAll<Zombie>();

answered Jun 7, 2018 at 9:45

DavidG

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2 Comments

Oudini Over a year ago

Well, now it's working. I don't know what's different (maybe I forgot to use "where T : class"). Thank you !

Bob Lokerse Over a year ago

I just have to see how to get it working with a mocked (Moq) context in my unit test.

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