How do you handle multi-part forms in ASP.NET MVC?

Question

I want to make a sign-up form that spans across 3 pages in ASP.NET MVC.

What method should one use to persist the users answers for the first and second pages before submitting the 3rd page?

Is it done with TempData, Session, or some other method particular to MVC?

Are there any examples of how to do this?

Answer 1

Steven Sanderson has a worked out example in Pro ASP.NET MVC Framework (pp 396-406). He sends the data to the page or serializes to TempData as required, and uses a pair of custom OnActionExecuting/OnResultExecuted methods to manage it behind the scenes. Inside the controller the data pops up like magic, so it is less transparent than I would like, but shows a basic persistence method that avoids session state.

Answer 2

Check out this SO Question.

Design suggestion for passing parameters in MVC

Answer 3

I think there are a few criteria you should consider before choosing a solution. Some of these are:

1. Do you have authenticated users or public (anonymous) users?
2. How sensitive is the information you're storing between pages?
3. Are they allowed to go off-line and return later to continue where they left off?
4. How large is the data you're storing (in total) and how many concurrent users do you anticipate?

These questions will lead you to decisions on where and how to store the data. Once you know that, you can start looking for a good implementation of that storage method.