The parameter conversion from type 'System.String' to type 'T' failed because no type converter can convert between these types

Question

NOTE: All of the code here is paraphrased as an example, as I can\'t show real code.

I have a view model class that looks something like

<         


        

Answer 1

A RedirectToAction is simply a HTTP 302 redirect. Are you sure you need the browser to re-request a new page?

For instance do you want to avoid a page reload from triggerring a "resubmit post data" dialog? (see POST-REDIRECT-GET pattern)

Why not just use:

public ActionResult Filter(FormCollection formParams) 
{
   return Search(new SearchViewModel{
     Term = formParams["Term"], 
     Filters =  
       formParams.Keys 
                .Cast() 
                .Where(k => k.Contains("filter")) 
                .Select(k => Filter.Build(k, formParams[k])) 
                .ToList()                         
    });                                         
} 

Alternatively you could use TempData to store the state between requests, or possibly client side cookies if suitable.

If you want the Search results page to be bookmarkable in a users browser you'll need to represent the search parameter's state in the URL using REST or some form of serilaised string (eg. JSON)