Create a DataTypeAttribute that uses an Editor Template and is a ValidationAttribute

Question

Using MVC5 and .NET 4.5

I want to make a DataTypeAttribute that will both use a Editor Template and work as a ValidationAttribute.

As I understand it, DataTypeAttribute inherits from ValidationAttribute so I didn't think this would be difficult.

However, I can't get it to validate.

Here is my attribute:

[AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Property, AllowMultiple = false)]
public class XXXAttribute : DataTypeAttribute
{
    public XXXAttribute() : base("XXX") { }

    protected override ValidationResult IsValid(object value, ValidationContext validationContext)
    {
        // validation code
    }

}

Here is the property in my ViewModel:

    [XXX]

    [Display(Name = "XXX")]
    public string XXX { get; set; }

A debugger in the IsValid method of my XXXAttribute shows that it is never being checked on submit.

Can someone point out to me what I've done wrong? Thank you.

Answer 1

The editor templates work on DataTypes naming convention. So you will need a string.cshtml (not recommended) or you can use the EditorFor override that explicitly tells it what template to use.

@Html.EditorFor(model => model.XXX, "XXX")

See documentation http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee407414(v=vs.118).aspx