How to implement CRUD operations using DXGrid and Entity Framework (Server Mode)

This example shows how to use EntityServerModeDataSource with DXGrid, and how to implement CRUD operations (e.g., add, remove, edit) in your application via special behavior.

Note that the test sample requires the SQL Express service to be installed on your machine.

We have created the EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior attached behavior for GridControl. For instance:

[XML]
<dxg:GridControl><dxmvvm:Interaction.Behaviors><crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior...><crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior.DataSource><dxsm:EntityServerModeDataSource.../></crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior.DataSource></crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior></dxmvvm:Interaction.Behaviors></dxg:GridControl>

The EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior class contains the NewRowForm and EditRowForm properties to provide the "Add Row" and "Edit Row" actions. With these properties, you can create the Add and Edit forms according to your requirements:

[XML]
<DataTemplatex:Key="EditRecordTemplate"><StackPanelMargin="8"MinWidth="200"><Grid><Grid.ColumnDefinitions><ColumnDefinition/><ColumnDefinition/></Grid.ColumnDefinitions><Grid.RowDefinitions><RowDefinition/><RowDefinition/></Grid.RowDefinitions><TextBlockText="ID:"VerticalAlignment="Center"Grid.Row="0"Grid.Column="0"Margin="0,0,6,4"/><dxe:TextEditx:Name="txtID"Grid.Row="0"Grid.Column="1"EditValue="{Binding Path=Id, Mode=TwoWay}"Margin="0,0,0,4"/><TextBlockText="Name:"VerticalAlignment="Center"Grid.Row="1"Grid.Column="0"Margin="0,0,6,4"/><dxe:TextEditx:Name="txtCompany"Grid.Row="1"Grid.Column="1"EditValue="{Binding Path=Name, Mode=TwoWay}"Margin="0,0,0,4"/></Grid></StackPanel></DataTemplate><crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehaviorNewRowForm="{StaticResource ResourceKey=EditRecordTemplate}"EditRowForm="{StaticResource ResourceKey=EditRecordTemplate}"/>

This behavior requires the following information from your data model:

- EntityType - the type of rows;

- ObjectContext - database entities;

- DataSource - an object of the EntityServerModeDataSource type.

[XML]
<crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehaviorEntityType="{x:Type local:Item}"ObjectContext="{StaticResource ResourceKey=DatabaseEntites}"><crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior.DataSource><dxsm:EntityServerModeDataSourceKeyExpression="Id"QueryableSource="{Binding Items, Source={StaticResource DatabaseEntites}}"/></crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior.DataSource></crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior>

See the EntityServerModeDataSource Class to learn more about EntityServerModeDataSource.

Behavior class descendants support the following commands: NewRowCommand, RemoveRowCommand, EditRowCommand. You can bind your interaction controls with these commands with ease. For instance:

[XML]
<crud:EntityServerModeCRUDBehaviorx:Name="helper"/><StackPanelGrid.Row="1"Orientation="Horizontal"HorizontalAlignment="Center"><ButtonHeight="22"Width="60"Command="{Binding Path=NewRowCommand, ElementName=helper}">Add</Button><ButtonHeight="22"Width="60"Command="{Binding Path=RemoveRowCommand, ElementName=helper}"Margin="6,0,6,0">Remove</Button><ButtonHeight="22"Width="60"Command="{Binding Path=EditRowCommand, ElementName=helper}">Edit</Button></StackPanel>

By default, the EntityServerModeCRUDBehavior solution supports the following end-user interaction capabilities:

1. An end-user can edit selected row values by double-clicking on a grid row or by pressing the Enter key if the AllowKeyDownActions property is True.

2. An end-user can remove selected rows via the Delete key press if the AllowKeyDownActions property is True.

3. An end-user can add new rows, remove and edit them via the NewRowCommand, RemoveRowCommand, and EditRowCommand commands.