So, my question is that I have a model. My model has some data that is populated based on the id passed in through the url and set into a cookie, and the rest is user input, which is validated using data annotations.
The "problem" I've come across is how to handle this non user input data. Do I put it in hidden controls and thus inflate (albeit only slightly) my page size, or do I "rebuild" that part of the model on each post back, which adds another trip to the database and back.
I understand this is subjective, but I'm curious as to what the standard practice is. Putting the data in a hidden field is the simplest way, but it doesn't feel right to have done away with viewstate only to bring it back, even if in small chunks. Plus that exposes your data to the user - not that they couldn't tweak the url. And no one likes unnecessary trips to the database.
Oh, and I can't use session. This app runs in a load balanced environment.