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[Solved] The argument to DbIsNullExpression must refer to a primitive or reference type

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sL342799 asked on 09 Dec 2009, 09:34 PM

Hi,

I am trying to implement a grid with ajax binding (backend is using LINQ and Entity Framework). Originally, I was getting the infamous Server Error '500' due to circular references. So I decided to follow the advice on the forums and implement a ViewModel approach (Implementing ViewModel).

I created a simple ViewModel as:

    
            using System; 
        
            using System.Collections.Generic; 
        
            using System.Linq; 
        
            using System.Web; 
        
            namespace UndertakingTracker.Models 
        
            { 
        
                public class UndertakingViewModel 
        
                { 
        
                    public int undertakingID {  
        
                        get;  
        
                        set; 
        
                    } 
        
                public string undertakingReferenceNumber {  
        
                    get;  
        
                    set; 
        
                } 
        
                public DateTime? dateReceived {  
        
                    get; 
        
                    set; 
        
                } 
        
                public string portfolioName {  
        
                    get;  
        
                    set; 
        
                } 
        
                public string propertyName {  
        
                    get;  
        
                    set;  
        
                } 
        
                public string lenderName {  
        
                    get;  
        
                    set;  
        
                } 
        
                public string status {  
        
                    get;  
        
                    set; 
        
                } 
        
                } 
        
            }

In my repository I did the following:

    
            public IEnumerable<UndertakingViewModel> listAllUndertakingsAsViewModel() {  
        
                    return from u in _entities.Undertaking.Include("Lender").Include("Lender.Address").Include("Property").Include("Property.Address") 
        
                        select new UndertakingViewModel{ 
        
                        undertakingID = u.undertakingID, 
        
                        undertakingReferenceNumber = u.undertakingReferenceNumber, 
        
                        dateReceived = u.dateReceived, 
        
                        portfolioName = u.Property.portfolioName, 
        
                        propertyName = u.Property.propertyName, 
        
                        lenderName = u.Lender.lenderName, 
        
                        status = u.status 
        
                        }; 
        
                    }

In my controller I did the following (where service simply calls the repository and passes back the IEnumerable):

    
             public ActionResult Index() 
        
                    { 
        
                        return View(_service.listAllUndertakingsAsViewModel()); 
        
                    } 
        
                    [GridAction] 
        
                    public ActionResult _AjaxBinding() 
        
                    { 
        
                         return View(new GridModel<UndertakingViewModel> 
        
                    { 
        
                        Data = _service.listAllUndertakingsAsViewModel() 
        
                    });

And Finally my view:

    
            <%@ Page Title="" Language="C#" MasterPageFile="~/Views/Shared/Site.Master" Inherits="System.Web.Mvc.ViewPage<IEnumerable<UndertakingTracker.Models.UndertakingViewModel>>" %> 
        
            [snip] 
        
            <% 
        
                    Html.Telerik().Grid(Model) 
        
                        .Name("Undertakings") 
        
                        .Ajax(ajax => ajax.Action("_AjaxBinding", "Undertaking")) 
        
                        .Columns(columns => 
        
                        { 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.undertakingReferenceNumber).Title("UTI").Filterable(true); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.dateReceived).Title("Date Received").Format("{0:dd/MM/yyyy}"); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.portfolioName).Title("Portfolio"); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.propertyName).Title("Property"); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.lenderName).Title("Lender"); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.status).Title("Status"); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.undertakingID).Format(Html.ActionLink("Edit", "Edit", new { id = "{0}" })).Encoded(false).Title("Edit").Filterable(false).Sortable(false); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.undertakingID).Format(Html.ActionLink("Details", "Details", new { id = "{0}" })).Encoded(false).Title("Details").Filterable(false).Sortable(false); 
        
                            columns.Add(u => u.undertakingID).Format(Url.Action("Create", "UndertakingActivity", new { id = "{0}" })).Encoded(false).Title("&nbsp;").Filterable(false).Sortable(false); 
        
                        }) 
        
                        .Pageable() 
        
                        .Sortable() 
        
                        .Filterable() 
        
                        .Render(); 
        
            %>

Upon rendering, i get the following exception and stacktrace:

    
            System.ArgumentException was unhandled by user code 
        
              Message="The argument to DbIsNullExpression must refer to a primitive or reference type." 
        
              Source="System.Data.Entity" 
        
              StackTrace: 
        
                   at System.Data.Common.CommandTrees.DbIsNullExpression..ctor(DbCommandTree cmdTree, DbExpression arg, Boolean isRowTypeArgumentAllowed) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.CreateIsNullExpression(DbExpression operand, Type operandClrType) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.EqualsTranslator.CreateIsNullExpression(ExpressionConverter parent, Expression input) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.EqualsTranslator.TypedTranslate(ExpressionConverter parent, BinaryExpression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TypedTranslator`1.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateExpression(Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.NotTranslator.TypedTranslate(ExpressionConverter parent, UnaryExpression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TypedTranslator`1.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateExpression(Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.NotEqualsTranslator.TypedTranslate(ExpressionConverter parent, BinaryExpression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TypedTranslator`1.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateExpression(Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.ConditionalTranslator.TypedTranslate(ExpressionConverter parent, ConditionalExpression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TypedTranslator`1.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateExpression(Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateLambda(LambdaExpression lambda, DbExpression input) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateLambda(LambdaExpression lambda, DbExpression input, DbExpressionBinding& binding) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.MethodCallTranslator.OneLambdaTranslator.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, MethodCallExpression call, DbExpression& source, DbExpressionBinding& sourceBinding, DbExpression& lambda) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.MethodCallTranslator.OneLambdaTranslator.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, MethodCallExpression call) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.MethodCallTranslator.SequenceMethodTranslator.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, MethodCallExpression call, SequenceMethod sequenceMethod) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.MethodCallTranslator.TypedTranslate(ExpressionConverter parent, MethodCallExpression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TypedTranslator`1.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateExpression(Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.MethodCallTranslator.UnarySequenceMethodTranslator.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, MethodCallExpression call) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.MethodCallTranslator.SequenceMethodTranslator.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, MethodCallExpression call, SequenceMethod sequenceMethod) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.MethodCallTranslator.TypedTranslate(ExpressionConverter parent, MethodCallExpression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TypedTranslator`1.Translate(ExpressionConverter parent, Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.TranslateExpression(Expression linq) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ExpressionConverter.Convert() 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ELinq.ELinqQueryState.GetExecutionPlan(Nullable`1 forMergeOption) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ObjectQuery`1.GetResults(Nullable`1 forMergeOption) 
        
                   at System.Data.Objects.ObjectQuery`1.System.Collections.Generic.IEnumerable<T>.GetEnumerator() 
        
                   at Telerik.Web.Mvc.Extensions.EnumerableExtensions.Each[T](IEnumerable`1 instance, Action`1 action) 
        
                   at Telerik.Web.Mvc.UI.Grid`1.WriteRows(IGridRenderer`1 renderer) 
        
                   at Telerik.Web.Mvc.UI.Grid`1.WriteTable(IGridRenderer`1 renderer) 
        
                   at Telerik.Web.Mvc.UI.Grid`1.WriteHtml(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at Telerik.Web.Mvc.UI.ViewComponentBase.Render() 
        
                   at Telerik.Web.Mvc.UI.ViewComponentBuilderBase`2.Render() 
        
                   at ASP.views_undertaking_index_aspx.__RenderContent2(HtmlTextWriter __w, Control parameterContainer) in c:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Projects\UndertakingTracker\UndertakingTracker\Views\Undertaking\Index.aspx:line 16 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderChildrenInternal(HtmlTextWriter writer, ICollection children) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderChildren(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.Render(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControlInternal(HtmlTextWriter writer, ControlAdapter adapter) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControl(HtmlTextWriter writer, ControlAdapter adapter) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControl(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at ASP.views_shared_site_master.__Render__control1(HtmlTextWriter __w, Control parameterContainer) in c:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Projects\UndertakingTracker\UndertakingTracker\Views\Shared\Site.Master:line 48 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderChildrenInternal(HtmlTextWriter writer, ICollection children) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderChildren(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.Render(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControlInternal(HtmlTextWriter writer, ControlAdapter adapter) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControl(HtmlTextWriter writer, ControlAdapter adapter) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControl(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderChildrenInternal(HtmlTextWriter writer, ICollection children) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderChildren(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Page.Render(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.Mvc.ViewPage.Render(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControlInternal(HtmlTextWriter writer, ControlAdapter adapter) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControl(HtmlTextWriter writer, ControlAdapter adapter) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Control.RenderControl(HtmlTextWriter writer) 
        
                   at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) 
        
              InnerException:

Any ideas on how to resolve?

Thanks!

24 Answers, 1 is accepted

answered on 10 Dec 2009, 11:17 AM

Hello sL342799,

Unfortunately I am not sure why this exception is thrown. The only thing which comes to mind is to ask you if the ViewModel class contains the DB key of the actual model entity. If not please add it to the ViewModel class. If it already does I have to ask you to send a runnable sample showing the problem. Please send it to atanas.korchev at telerik.com

Regards,
Atanas Korchev
the Telerik team

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answered on 29 Mar 2010, 08:41 PM

Hi webXpert Xpert ,

I have a note I made to myself here that might help .....

When i first got this error, it was because I needed to use the telerik version that had the fix - 2009.3.1320. This went for scripts and content as well. Telerik.web.mvc.dll for this version has to be in the references.

If its not, you have to add it as a reference and do a "Clean" and "Rebuild". When you do the clean it should remove the dll from your bin folder as well - yep, it goes to your bin and deletes old files. at that point, you may have to add it manually to the bin, and make sure its referenced and then you do a build.

NOW THIS WAS A JUMBLED SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, BUT MAKING SURE THE DLL VERSION WAS REFERENCED, CLEANED AND REBUILT (not neccessarily in that order) fixed it.

I know its not much to answer why, I should of noted it, but hope this is helpful. ?

answered on 16 Apr 2010, 04:54 PM

I too am having this issue.

I only get this issue when I filter a column, I don't have a problem getting data, sorting or paging.

Seems to be an issue with Entity Framework. I'm guessing it's the way that the Grid control is add expressions to my IQueryable<> object.

I don't want to convert this to a memory list (.ToList()) since then I'll lose the small SQL data sets, and will end up grabbing the whole dataset before the Grid gets a chance to build up the expressions on the SQL side.

I might have to crack open the original Telerik.Web.Mvc code and see where it uses DbIsNullExpression.

answered on 03 Feb 2012, 10:43 AM

Updated: I should add that this is using Entity Framework 4.2.0.0

Hello Atanas. That was a fast response.

I'm using the custom binding on the server side. The filtering is almost verbatim from what's listed on the telerik demo site for grid. The only difference being I'm using a different Model.

public static IQueryable<ProductItemModel> ApplyFiltering(this IQueryable<ProductItemModel> data,

IList<IFilterDescriptor> filterDescriptors)

{

if (filterDescriptors.Any())

{

data = data.Where(ExpressionBuilder.Expression<ProductItemModel>(filterDescriptors));

}

return data;

}

The ApplyFiltering method doesnt get called until after I have a query that includes some joins and a projection in to a viewModel. When the filter is applied the exception occurs when getting the Count.

//Apply filtering

data = data.ApplyFiltering(command.FilterDescriptors);

ViewData["Total"

] = data.Count(); // Exception here

answered on 03 Feb 2012, 11:12 AM

That's what I was afraid of. Since some of the fields in the projected viewmodel include columns from joined tables I'm not sure how well applying the filter before the select will work out. I'll give it a go anyway. I'm not really needing this functionality critically. I can create my own filter controls to work around the issue.

Interesting, If I manually add a filter instead of using the ExpressionBuilder with the GridCommand Entity Framework has no problem with it.

//Apply filtering

data = data.ApplyFiltering(command.FilterDescriptors); // No FilterDescriptors used in this test

data = data.Where(c => c.ProductDesc.Contains("Phone"));

ViewData["Total"] = data.Count(); // This works just fine even with the Where clause up above

answered on 06 Feb 2012, 10:23 AM

I kind of ended up doing something like that. The trick is to change the FilterDescriptors in the GridCommand object that's passed in to the Grid Select Action.

The algorithm I used looked something like this:

Get IQueryable without Select
Traverse the GridCommand FilterDescriptors (recursively to handle CompositeFilterDescriptors) and convert filterDescriptor.Member to the non-projected name ( change ProductDesc to product.productDescriptor.ProductDesc in our contrived example)
ApplyFiltering
ApplySorting (use the non-projected expression, product.productDescriptor.productDesc, in AddSortExpression method)
ApplyPaging
Add the select (projection)
ApplyGrouping (use the projected expression, ProductDesc, in ApplyGrouping method)

Those steps got me to where I wanted to be. Thanks for your help.