How to create breadcrumbs using Dynamic Data/LINQTOSQL framework? - asp.net

Question

I need some EXAMPLES or IDEAS on how to created dynamic breadcrumb control which will dynamically generated breadcrumbs for Dynamic Date framework powered by LINQTOSQL

Answer 1

You'll probably need three things:
A hierarchy structure in your database*
A custom SiteMap provider based on the StaticSiteMapProvider to read the hierarchy
A SiteMapPath control to display the Breadcrumb.
* I'd done some hunting around when I wanted something similar for a client site, and decided that storing the path structure in the database would be simplest - I've given the answer previously here for an arbitrary depth site map - note that if you're using SQL2008 you can use the new HierarchyId data type to make this a bit easier.
That being said, if you've got things like categories and products, you can probably get away with a simpler system in your database.
The key functions I needed to create to resolve this were things like:
/// <summary>
/// Gets this SiteMaps children.
/// </summary>
/// <value>The children.</value>
public List<SiteMap> Children {
get {
if (null == m_Children && !m_AttemptedToLoadChildren) {
m_AttemptedToLoadChildren = true;
m_Children = ctx.GetSiteMapChildrenByPath(_Path, 1).ToList();
// Sorts ascending.
m_Children.Sort(( sm1, sm2 ) => sm1.SortOrder.CompareTo(sm2.SortOrder));
// CMS Sorts Descending, so reverse the list.
m_Children.Reverse();
}
return m_Children;
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Gets a value indicating whether this instance has any children.
/// </summary>
/// <value>
/// <c>true</c> if this instance has children; otherwise, <c>false</c>.
/// </value>
public bool HasChildren {
get {
if (null != Children && Children.Any()) {
m_HasChildren = true;
}
return m_HasChildren;
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Gets this SiteMaps parent.
/// </summary>
/// <value>The parent.</value>
public SiteMap Parent {
get {
if (null == m_Parent && null != _ParentId) {
m_Parent = ctx.GetSiteMap(_ParentId);
}
return m_Parent;
}
}
GetSiteMap and GetSiteMapChildrenByPath call into stored procs to build the hierarchy as pulling it out with LINQ was going to be quite complex.

Answer 2

Hi have you had a look at my custom SitMapProvider here
This allows you to get the structure from the metamodel with annotation and a seperate sitemap file for non DD pages.