c# - How to use dropdownlists in ASP.NET MVC with lookup values without ViewBag? -

this should easy, , can't life of me realize haven't found answers despite @ least hour of googling. anyway, here go:

i want create simple asp.net mvc view dropdowns allow user select values, saved id:s database. i've been told viewbag/viewdata devils work i've tried solve adding selectlist (view)model like:

public virtual selectlist accommodations { get; set; } 

and in controller fill like:

loanapplication theloanapplication = new loanapplication();             theloanapplication.accommodations = new selectlist(db.accommodations.tolist(), "accommodationid", "name"); 

and in view use working:

@html.dropdownlistfor(model => model.accommodationid, model.accommodations, "choose accommodation") 

this works should, when try save model, errors accommodations property (the list) null kind of expected. else in model should though.

i've looked @ known "countoso university" code example on asp.net site , in seem use viewbag solve similar problems. viewbag isn't bad use in scenario , might best possible solution? if not, prefered way solve problem , not use viewbag/viewdata?

thank you.

in controller post action, reload accommodations list db in action.

you'd if modelstate has errors , want pass these view, otherwise there's no need reload select list. you've not specified gives null reference, i'm assuming when have modelstate errors , reloading view show server-side errors. eg:

[httppost] public actionresult editaccommodation(accommodationviewmodel model) {     if (!modelstate.isvalid)      {         model.accommodations = new selectlist(db.accommodations.tolist(), "accommodationid", "name");         return view(model);     }      // else modelstate ok , model.accommodationid set      ... } 

as aside, recommend keep variable names clear, eg:

public virtual selectlist accommodationselectlist { get; set; } 

then, when refer accommodations it's clear if it's select list (which isn't list of accommodations, it's list of select items) or real list of accommodations database.