How can I tell if there are validation errors from within my asp.net mvc View?

Question

My layout is much simplified if I can only render parts of it when I need to display my validation summary.

The problem is that you can't use IsValid as it will throw if accessed before validation has occurred.

ViewData.ModelState.IsValid is false by default, so that won't work.

The only thing I've found that works is

<%if (this.ViewData.ModelState.Values.Where(x => x.Errors.Count > 0).Count() > 0)
  {%>

this kinda sucks. I'm looking for a better version of this. Is it out there?

Answer 1

Have you checked out the validation example in the NerdDinner tutorial yet?

Integrating Validation and Business Rule Logic with Model Classes http://nerddinnerbook.s3.amazonaws.com/Part3.htm

If you are trying to validate before submitting the page to the controller, you are better off doing that with jQuery.

jQuery plugin: Validation
http://bassistance.de/jquery-plugins/jquery-plugin-validation/

Answer 2

What Rob said. I'd check out xVal for a great way to tie your model validation to jquery validation with little added effort.