Entity Framework, changing EntityKey leaves Entity as "UnChanged"

Question

I have an entity with a status property that I would like to update.

I would like to do the following:

const int NEW_STATUS = 2;
myEntity.StatusReference.EntityKey = new EntityKey("SetName", "KeyName", NEW_STATUS);

When this is passed to the context, its state is "UnChanged", despite me changing the relationship! This means the save will not be persisted.

The entity comming in is from a different context to the one that its being attached to and saved.

Anyone know how I can update just the entitykey and persist it!?

Thanks in advance,

David

Answer 1

You can't. EntityKeys are designed to be mapped to primary keys, which, in any good DB design, will never change. If you've mapped your EntityKey to something which is not a PK, change it to the PK. If your DB design calls for PKs to change, please reconsider that design. (Removed after you changed the question.)

Added, upon re-reading the question: Are you actually wanting to update the EntityKey of the entity, or do you just want to change the status property? If the latter, try one of the following:

entity.Status = someStatusInstance;

...or...

entity.StatusReference.EntityKey = myEntity.EntityKey = new EntityKey("SetName", "KeyName", NEW_STATUS);

If your entity state isn't modified, you probably have the order of operations wrong when adding to/saving the context. You would need to show that when asking for help on it.