Return multiple views to one ActionResult with ASP.NET MVC - asp.net-mvc

Question

What I want to achieve essentially is:
Items assigned to me
Item 1 assigned to me
Item 2 assigned to me
Item 3 assigned to me
All open items
Item 1 open to everyone
Item 2 open to everyone
Item 3 open to everyone
Item 4 open to everyone
Though from what I have experienced of MVC so far is that I would have to return the data to the view model to be able to use it in the view itself in the following manner:
<asp:Content ID="ticketsContent" ContentPlaceHolderID="MainContent" runat="server">
<div id="hdMain">
<div id="hdMainTop"><img src="images/hdMainTop.gif" alt="" /></div>
<div id="hdMainContent">
<div id="numberOfCalls">Calls assigned to you (<%=Html.ViewData("MyOpenCallsCount")%>)</div>
<div id="assignedToMe">
<div id="callHeaders">
<table id="callHeadersTbl" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td width="54"> </td>
<td width="270">Subject</td>
<td width="148">Logged</td>
<td width="120">Updated</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<div id="greyTicketBar"> Assignee: <strong><%=Html.ViewData("UserName")%></strong></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="643">
<% For Each aT In ViewData.Model%>
<tr>
<td width="54" class="ticketList"> </td>
<td width="270" class="ticketList"><%=Html.ActionLink(aT.Title, "Details", New With {.id = aT.CallID})%></td>
<td width="148" class="ticketList"><%=aT.loggedOn.Date.ToShortDateString%></td>
<td width="115" class="ticketList"><%=aT.updatedOn.Date.ToShortDateString%></td>
</tr>
<% Next%>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div id="hdMainBottom"><img src="images/hdMainBottom.gif" alt="" /></div>
<div id="bigbreak">
<br />
</div>
<div id="hdMainTop"><img src="images/hdMainTop.gif" alt="" /></div>
<div id="hdMainContent">
<div id="numberOfCalls">All unsolved calls (<%=Html.ViewData("OpenCallCount")%>)</div>
<div id="unsolvedTix">
<div id="callHeaders">
<table id="callHeadersTbl" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td width="54"> </td>
<td width="270">Subject</td>
<td width="148">Logged</td>
<td width="58">Priority</td>
<td width="120">Updated</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<div id="greyTicketBar"></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="643">
<% For Each t As hdCall In ViewData.Model%>
<tr>
<td width="51" class="ticketList" align="center"><img src="/images/icons/<%=t.hdPriority.Priority%>.gif" /></td>
<td width="270" class="ticketList"><%=Html.ActionLink(t.Title, "Details", New With {.id = t.CallID})%></td>
<td width="148" class="ticketList"><%=t.loggedOn%></td>
<td width="58" class="ticketList"><%=t.hdPriority.Priority%></td>
<td width="115" class="ticketList"><%=t.updatedOn%></td>
</tr>
<% Next%>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div id="hdMainBottom"><img src="images/hdMainBottom.gif" alt="" /></div>
</div>
<div id="hdSpacer"></div>
<div id="hdMenus">
<div id="browseBox">
<div id="blueTop"><img src="images/blueboxTop.gif" /></div>
<div id="blueContent">
<img src="images/browse.gif" alt="Browse" /><br /><br />
<ul>
<li> Calls for Topps<br /><br /></li>
<li> Calls for TCH<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="blueBottom"><img src="images/blueboxBottom.gif" /></div>
<br />
<div id="Dashboard">
<div id="blueTop"><img src="images/blueboxTop.gif" /></div>
<div id="blueContent"><img src="images/dashboard.gif" alt="Dashboard" /><br /><br />
<div id="storePercent"><%=Html.ViewData("OpenCallCount")%><br />
Calls Open</div>
<ul style="font-weight: bold;">
<li> Urgent: <%=Html.ViewData("UrgentCallCount")%><br /><br /></li>
<li> High: <%=Html.ViewData("HighCallCount")%><br /><br /></li>
<li> Normal: <%=Html.ViewData("NormalCallCount")%><br /><br /></li>
<li> Low: <%=Html.ViewData("LowCallCount")%></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="blueBottom"><img src="images/blueboxBottom.gif" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</asp:Content>
Now, the idea I have for it, even though I know it won't work would basically be:
'
' GET: /Calls/
<Authorize()> _
Function Index() As ActionResult
ViewData("OpenCallCount") = callRepository.CountOpenCalls.Count()
ViewData("UrgentCallCount") = callRepository.CountUrgentCalls.Count()
ViewData("HighCallCount") = callRepository.CountHighCalls.Count()
ViewData("NormalCallCount") = callRepository.CountNormalCalls.Count()
ViewData("LowCallCount") = callRepository.CountLowCalls.Count()
ViewData("MyOpenCallsCount") = callRepository.CountMyOpenCalls(Session("LoggedInUser")).Count()
ViewData("UserName") = Session("LoggedInUser")
Dim viewOpenCalls = callRepository.FindAllOpenCalls()
Dim viewMyOpenCalls = callRepository.FindAllMyCalls(Session("LoggedInUser"))
Return View(viewOpenCalls)
Return View(viewMyOpenCalls)
End Function
What I'm wondering is, what would be the correct way to do this? I haven't a clue as how to go about the right way, I think I at least have the theory there though, just not how to implement it.
Thanks for any help in advance.
EDIT
Based on the below comments, I have made the following code edits/additions:
Class Calls
Private _OpenCalls As hdCall
Public Property OpenCalls() As hdCall
Get
Return _OpenCalls
End Get
Set(ByVal value As hdCall)
_OpenCalls = value
End Set
End Property
Private _MyCalls As hdCall
Public Property MyCalls() As hdCall
Get
Return _MyCalls
End Get
Set(ByVal value As hdCall)
_MyCalls = value
End Set
End Property
End Class
Index() Action
'
' GET: /Calls/
<Authorize()> _
Function Index() As ActionResult
ViewData("OpenCallCount") = callRepository.CountOpenCalls.Count()
ViewData("UrgentCallCount") = callRepository.CountUrgentCalls.Count()
ViewData("HighCallCount") = callRepository.CountHighCalls.Count()
ViewData("NormalCallCount") = callRepository.CountNormalCalls.Count()
ViewData("LowCallCount") = callRepository.CountLowCalls.Count()
ViewData("MyOpenCallsCount") = callRepository.CountMyOpenCalls(Session("LoggedInUser")).Count()
ViewData("UserName") = Session("LoggedInUser")
Dim viewOpenCalls As New Calls With {.OpenCalls = callRepository.FindAllOpenCalls()}
Dim viewMyOpenCalls As New Calls With {.MyCalls = callRepository.FindAllMyCalls(Session("LoggedInUser"))}
Return View(New Calls())
End Function
Calls/Index.aspx
<%# Page Title="" Language="VB" MasterPageFile="~/Views/Shared/Site.Master" Inherits="System.Web.Mvc.ViewPage<Calls>" %>
<%# Import Namespace="CustomerServiceHelpdesk" %>
<asp:Content ID="ticketsHeader" ContentPlaceHolderID="TitleContent" runat="server">
Topps Customer Service Helpdesk - View All Calls
</asp:Content>
<asp:Content ID="ticketsContent" ContentPlaceHolderID="MainContent" runat="server">
<div id="hdMain">
<div id="hdMainTop"><img src="images/hdMainTop.gif" alt="" /></div>
<div id="hdMainContent">
<div id="numberOfCalls">Calls assigned to you (<%=Html.ViewData("MyOpenCallsCount")%>)</div>
<div id="assignedToMe">
<div id="callHeaders">
<table id="callHeadersTbl" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td width="54"> </td>
<td width="270">Subject</td>
<td width="148">Logged</td>
<td width="120">Updated</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<div id="greyTicketBar"> Assignee: <strong><%=Html.ViewData("UserName")%></strong></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="643">
<% For Each aT In Model.MyCalls%>
<tr>
<td width="54" class="ticketList"> </td>
<td width="270" class="ticketList"><%=Html.ActionLink(aT.Title, "Details", New With {.id = aT.CallID})%></td>
<td width="148" class="ticketList"><%=aT.loggedOn.Date.ToShortDateString%></td>
<td width="115" class="ticketList"><%=aT.updatedOn.Date.ToShortDateString%></td>
</tr>
<% Next%>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div id="hdMainBottom"><img src="images/hdMainBottom.gif" alt="" /></div>
<div id="bigbreak">
<br />
</div>
<div id="hdMainTop"><img src="images/hdMainTop.gif" alt="" /></div>
<div id="hdMainContent">
<div id="numberOfCalls">All unsolved calls (<%=Html.ViewData("OpenCallCount")%>)</div>
<div id="unsolvedTix">
<div id="callHeaders">
<table id="callHeadersTbl" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td width="54"> </td>
<td width="270">Subject</td>
<td width="148">Logged</td>
<td width="58">Priority</td>
<td width="120">Updated</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<div id="greyTicketBar"></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="643">
<% For Each t As hdCall In Model.OpenCalls%>
<tr>
<td width="51" class="ticketList" align="center"><img src="/images/icons/<%=t.hdPriority.Priority%>.gif" /></td>
<td width="270" class="ticketList"><%=Html.ActionLink(t.Title, "Details", New With {.id = t.CallID})%></td>
<td width="148" class="ticketList"><%=t.loggedOn%></td>
<td width="58" class="ticketList"><%=t.hdPriority.Priority%></td>
<td width="115" class="ticketList"><%=t.updatedOn%></td>
</tr>
<% Next%>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div id="hdMainBottom"><img src="images/hdMainBottom.gif" alt="" /></div>
</div>
<div id="hdSpacer"></div>
<div id="hdMenus">
<div id="browseBox">
<div id="blueTop"><img src="images/blueboxTop.gif" /></div>
<div id="blueContent">
<img src="images/browse.gif" alt="Browse" /><br /><br />
<ul>
<li> Calls for Topps<br /><br /></li>
<li> Calls for TCH<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="blueBottom"><img src="images/blueboxBottom.gif" /></div>
<br />
<div id="Dashboard">
<div id="blueTop"><img src="images/blueboxTop.gif" /></div>
<div id="blueContent"><img src="images/dashboard.gif" alt="Dashboard" /><br /><br />
<div id="storePercent"><%=Html.ViewData("OpenCallCount")%><br />
Calls Open</div>
<ul style="font-weight: bold;">
<li> Urgent: <%=Html.ViewData("UrgentCallCount")%><br /><br /></li>
<li> High: <%=Html.ViewData("HighCallCount")%><br /><br /></li>
<li> Normal: <%=Html.ViewData("NormalCallCount")%><br /><br /></li>
<li> Low: <%=Html.ViewData("LowCallCount")%></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="blueBottom"><img src="images/blueboxBottom.gif" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</asp:Content>
However, the line <%=Html.ViewData("MyOpenCallsCount")%> gives me an End of Statement expected error.
Also, I did get it to compile once, but I got the error Unable to cast object of type 'System.Data.Linq.DataQuery1[CustomerServiceHelpdesk.hdCall]' to type 'CustomerServiceHelpdesk.hdCall'. from the line Dim viewOpenCalls As New Calls With {.OpenCalls = callRepository.FindAllOpenCalls()}
Where did I go wrong?
I'm a bit of noob when it comes to things like this, so any help is much appreciated.

Answer 1

Well, you can't return two values from a function, if that's what you are trying to do (the title suggests that's what you want).
Plus that's not how http works anyway. There's always just one response for a request.
But if you are trying to send both your viewOpenCalls and viewMyOpenCalls objects to one view, then you can do that with making your view have a model that'll hold both of them.
Like this :
//My VB is a bit rusty so I'm writing this in C#
class Calls {
public yourDataType OpenCalls { get; set; }
public yourDataType MyCalls { get; set; }
}
In your controller action :
return View(new Calls { OpenCalls = viewOpenCalls, MyCalls = viewMyOpenCalls })
//I gues in VB it would be like this :
Dim viewOpenCalls = callRepository.FindAllOpenCalls()
Dim viewMyOpenCalls = callRepository.FindAllMyCalls(Session("LoggedInUser"))
Return View(New Calls _
With {.OpenCalls = viewOpenCalls, .MyCalls = viewMyOpenCalls})
In your view make sure it's model is type of the Calls class.
<%# Page Inherits="System.Web.Mvc.ViewPage<Calls>" %>
And now you can access the properties with <%=Model.OpenCalls %> and <%=Model.MyCalls %>

Answer 2

Once I'd worked out the correct way of doing it (a little while a go now) I got it working.
For reference, this is the way it should be done:
Public Class TheCalls
Private _OpenCalls As IQueryable(Of hdCall)
Public Property OpenCalls() As IQueryable(Of hdCall)
Get
Return _OpenCalls
End Get
Set(ByVal value As IQueryable(Of hdCall))
_OpenCalls = value
End Set
End Property
Private _AssignedCalls As IQueryable(Of hdCall)
Public Property AssignedCalls() As IQueryable(Of hdCall)
Get
Return _AssignedCalls
End Get
Set(ByVal value As IQueryable(Of hdCall))
_AssignedCalls = value
End Set
End Property
End Class

Answer 3

1) Create a ViewData class. This is just a POCO class with properties defined for each data item you want to show on the view (e.g. OpenCallCount)
2) Create a strongly typed view that uses this ViewData class.
3) Pass a new instance of your ViewData class, with the properties set, to your view.
This will help you avoid using magic strings everywhere (e.g. ViewData("OpenCallCount") = ... becomes myViewDataClass.OpenCallCount = ...)
You could probably tidy up the view by using two partial view classes, or making it slightly more generic, but it will do the job at the moment.