How can I wrap a transaction around Membership.CreateUser?

Question

I'm using the asp.net SqlMembershipProvider and LinqToSql in a hobby/learning application. I have some user properties that I'm keeping in LinqtoSql, so my flow is: Membership.CreateUser -> MyClass.AddUserDetails. I'd like to wrap the whole thing in a transaction, so if the myclass bit fails I can roll back the membership bit. Any suggestions on how to do so?

Answer 1

You can set the Transaction property of the DataContext to make it participate in a transaction you already have.

Answer 2

The providers don't explicitly support transactions, I asked for this feature some time ago:

http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=102268

I think if you use the TransactionScope class it should work, though you will have the overhead of an MSDTC-coordinated transaction.

Answer 3

My real life experience (happened more than once):

• Junior programmer writes a site.
• During code review, I catch the missing transaction between user creation and profile creation (typically with a custom SqlProvider)
• We wrap everything in a DTC transaction.
• Nothing works on junior programmer's computer.
• Fix DTC on junior programmer's computer.
• Deploy to shared hosting environment.
• Nothing works in hosting environment.
• Argue for 4 hours with hosting company trying to fix their DTC.
• Remove transaction because site has to go online.
• Pray.

I don't really like membership anymore...