Trying to use ViewModel to Scaffold Controller throws error - asp.net-mvc

Question

Very new to ASP.net Core 2 MVC but trying to figure things out.
I have created a ViewModel:
ublic class PeopleStateViewModel
{
public People People { get; set; }
public StatesDictionary States { get; set; }
public PeopleStateViewModel(People people)
{
People = people;
States = new StatesDictionary();
}
}
I Have these two models:
public class People
{
public int ID { get; set; }
[StringLength(60, MinimumLength = 2)]
[Required]
public string FirstName { get; set; }
[StringLength(60, MinimumLength = 2)]
[Required]
public string LastName { get; set; }
}
public static SelectList StateSelectList
{
get { return new SelectList(StateDictionary, "Value", "Key"); }
}
public static readonly IDictionary<string, string>
StateDictionary = new Dictionary<string, string> {
{"Choose...",""}
, { "Alabama", "AL" }
, { "Alaska", "AK" }
, { "Arizona", "AZ" }
, { "Arkansas", "AR" }
, { "California", "CA" }
// code continues to add states...
};
}
I try to create a controller using MVC Controller with views, using Entity Framework.
I then get this error:
I want to be able to use data from both models data on a view...
Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

You can't create a scaffolding by using PeopleStateViewModel since it doesn't have primary key defined (you need to use actual data model from database). You can add the ID property with KeyAttribute in People data model & perform scaffolding on this data model instead:
public class People
{
[Key]
public int ID { get; set; }
[StringLength(60, MinimumLength = 2)]
[Required]
public string FirstName { get; set; }
[StringLength(60, MinimumLength = 2)]
[Required]
public string LastName { get; set; }
}
Additionally using non-parameterless constructor in the viewmodel on form submit with HttpPost like this:
[HttpPost]
public ActionResult ActionName(PeopleStateViewModel model)
{
// do something
}
It will throw this exception:
System.MissingMethodException: No parameterless constructor defined
for this object.
To prevent that error, declare a parameterless constructor on the viewmodel class:
public class PeopleStateViewModel
{
public People People { get; set; }
public StatesDictionary States { get; set; }
public PeopleStateViewModel()
{
}
public PeopleStateViewModel(People people)
{
People = people;
States = new StatesDictionary();
}
}

Answer 2

As mentioned in the comments, domain models should be used in scaffolding controllers and views. In your case use the People model when scaffolding. After the controller and views are created, start modifying the controller and views to use the PeopleStateViewModel.