Array values saved as System.String[] in database

Question

I have a form with checkboxes and posting them back to the controller and saving them to as SQl Server database, the values are System.String[]. Been looking around forums for a bit looking for a solution to output the array back out as a list of selected equipment but not finding anything. When hovering the array in the controller argument, all values that were selected in the form are listed and correct.

 <div class="checkbox">

   <label>

   <input type="checkbox" name="equipmentCheckbox" id="pc" value="PC">PC

   </label>

  </div>



<div class="checkbox">

   <label>

  <input type="checkbox" name="equipmentCheckbox" id="monitor" value="Flat Panel Monitor">Monitor

   </label>

   </div>



<div class="checkbox">

   <label>

  <input type="checkbox" name="equipmentCheckbox" id="mic" value="mic">Mic

   </label>

 </div>



<div class="checkbox">

   <label>

  <input type="checkbox" name="equipmentCheckbox" id="speakers" value="speakers">Speakers

   </label>

 </div>



<div class="checkbox">

   <label>

  <input type="checkbox" name="equipmentCheckbox" id="videoPlayer" value="videoPlayer">Video player

   </label>

 </div>



<div class="checkbox">

   <label>

  <input type="checkbox" name="equipmentCheckbox" id="lab" value="lab">Lab

   </label>

 </div>

Controller:

[HttpPost]

    public ActionResult equipmentRequest(string[] equipmentCheckbox) 

    {

        var db = new Entities();





        string[] equipment = Request.Form.GetValues("equipmentCheckbox");



        var order = new Order

        {



            EquipmentRequested = equipment.ToString(),



        };



        db.Requests.Add(order);

        db.SaveChanges();





        return RedirectToAction("Index");

    }

I'm stuck on how to parse the array to a list to save correctly to the database instead of System.String[]

Answer 1

You're trying to use toString on a string array when you do

equipment.ToString()

I don't know what your purpose is with that .ToString() call, but there is your mistake.

Order should contain

ICollection<EquipmentRequested> EquipmentRequested { get; set; }

instead of

string EquipmentRequested { get; set; }

and EquipmentRequested should contain a string property 'value' and an OrderId to link the objects.

Array values saved as System.String[] in database

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