How can I create a generic UniqueValidationAttribute in C# and DataAnnotation?

Question

I\'m trying to create a UniqueAttribute using the System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations.ValidationAttribute

I want this to be generic as in I c

Answer 1

Well, after a bit of searching, I came across: http://forums.asp.net/t/1512348.aspx and I figured it out, although it involves a fair bit of code.

Usage:

[Required]
[StringLength(10)]
[Unique(typeof(ContactsManagerDataContext),typeof(Group),"name",ErrorMessage="Group already exists")]
public string name { get; set; }

The validator code:

public class UniqueAttribute : ValidationAttribute
{
    public Type DataContextType { get; private set; }
    public Type EntityType { get; private set; }
    public string PropertyName { get; private set; }

    public UniqueAttribute(Type dataContextType, Type entityType, string propertyName)
    {
        DataContextType = dataContextType;
        EntityType = entityType;
        PropertyName = propertyName;
    }

    public override bool IsValid(object value)
    {
        string str = (string) value;
        if (String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(str))
            return true;

        // Cleanup the string
        str = str.Trim();

        // Construct the data context
        ConstructorInfo constructor = DataContextType.GetConstructor(new Type[0]);
        DataContext dataContext = (DataContext)constructor.Invoke(new object[0]);

        // Get the table
        ITable table = dataContext.GetTable(EntityType);

        // Get the property
        PropertyInfo propertyInfo = EntityType.GetProperty(PropertyName);

        // Expression: "entity"
        ParameterExpression parameter = Expression.Parameter(EntityType, "entity");

        // Expression: "entity.PropertyName"
        MemberExpression property = Expression.MakeMemberAccess(parameter, propertyInfo);

        // Expression: "value"
        object convertedValue = Convert.ChangeType(value, propertyInfo.PropertyType);
        ConstantExpression rhs = Expression.Constant(convertedValue);

        // Expression: "entity.PropertyName == value"
        BinaryExpression equal = Expression.Equal(property, rhs);

        // Expression: "entity => entity.PropertyName == value"
        LambdaExpression lambda = Expression.Lambda(equal, parameter);

        // Instantiate the count method with the right TSource (our entity type)
        MethodInfo countMethod = QueryableCountMethod.MakeGenericMethod(EntityType);

        // Execute Count() and say "you're valid if you have none matching"
        int count = (int)countMethod.Invoke(null, new object[] { table, lambda });
        return count == 0;
    }

    // Gets Queryable.Count(IQueryable, Expression>)
    private static MethodInfo QueryableCountMethod = typeof(Queryable).GetMethods().First(m => m.Name == "Count" && m.GetParameters().Length == 2);
}

I don't mind it being ugly since I will package it in a DLL and reuse it, much better than implementing multiple UniqueAttribute per table/field.