Return multiple views to one ActionResult with ASP.NET MVC

LiamGu picture LiamGu · Oct 21, 2009 · Viewed 10.9k times · Source

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">&nbsp;</td>
                            <td width="270">Subject</td>
                            <td width="148">Logged</td>
                            <td width="120">Updated</td>
                        </tr>
                    </table>
                </div>
                <div id="greyTicketBar">&nbsp;&nbsp; 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">&nbsp;</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">&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Company/1">Calls for Topps</a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Company/2">Calls for TCH</a><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>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Urgent">Urgent:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("UrgentCallCount")%></a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/High">High:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("HighCallCount")%></a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Normal">Normal:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("NormalCallCount")%></a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Low">Low:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("LowCallCount")%></a></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">&nbsp;</td>
                            <td width="270">Subject</td>
                            <td width="148">Logged</td>
                            <td width="120">Updated</td>
                        </tr>
                    </table>
                </div>
                <div id="greyTicketBar">&nbsp;&nbsp; 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">&nbsp;</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">&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Company/1">Calls for Topps</a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Company/2">Calls for TCH</a><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>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Urgent">Urgent:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("UrgentCallCount")%></a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/High">High:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("HighCallCount")%></a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Normal">Normal:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("NormalCallCount")%></a><br /><br /></li>
                    <li>&nbsp;<a href="/Calls/Low">Low:&nbsp;<%=Html.ViewData("LowCallCount")%></a></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

&#199;ağdaş Tekin picture Çağdaş Tekin · Oct 21, 2009

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 %>