EF Core SaveChanges Fails (v8.01 on .NET 8): Troubleshooting and Solutions

Are you struggling with the dreaded SaveChanges() failure in EF Core v8.01 on .NET 8? You’re not alone! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the common causes, troubleshooting steps, and effective solutions to get your database transactions back on track.

The Error: EF Core SaveChanges Fails

When SaveChanges() fails, you might encounter errors like:

System.Data.Entity.Infrastructure.DbUpdateException: 
An error occurred while updating the entries. See the inner exception for details.

Inner Exception:
System.Data.Entity.Core.UpdateException: 
An error occurred while updating the entries. See the inner exception for details.

Inner Exception:
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: 
Cannot insert the value NULL into column 'Column_Name', table 'Table_Name'; 
column does not allow nulls. INSERT fails.

Causes of EF Core SaveChanges Fails

Before we dive into solutions, let’s explore the common causes of SaveChanges() failures:

• Database schema issues: Mismatch between the database schema and the EF Core model.
• Invalid data: Trying to save null or invalid data to non-nullable columns.
• Concurrency conflicts: Multiple users updating the same data simultaneously.
• Transaction issues: Incorrect transaction handling or isolated transactions.
• EF Core configuration: Incorrect or missing configuration settings.

Troubleshooting Steps

Follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Enable logging: Turn on EF Core logging to get detailed error messages.
2. Check the inner exception: Drill down into the inner exception to identify the root cause.
3. Verify database schema: Ensure the database schema matches the EF Core model.
4. Validate data: Check for invalid or null data being saved.
5. Review transaction handling: Ensure correct transaction handling and isolation levels.
6. Check EF Core configuration: Review configuration settings and ensure they are correct.

Solutions to EF Core SaveChanges Fails

Now that we’ve identified the causes and troubleshooting steps, let’s implement solutions:

Solution 1: Fix Database Schema Issues

Use the following commands to update the database schema:

dotnet ef database update
dotnet ef migrations add InitialCreate
dotnet ef database update

Solution 2: Handle Invalid Data

Use data annotations or Fluent API to specify column constraints:

[Required]
public string ColumnName { get; set; }

// or

modelBuilder.Entity<Entity>
    .Property(e => e.ColumnName)
    .IsRequired();

Solution 3: Handle Concurrency Conflicts

Implement optimistic concurrency using timestamps or row versions:

[Timestamp]
public byte[] TimeStamp { get; set; }

// or

modelBuilder.Entity<Entity>
    .Property(e => e.RowVersion)
    .IsRowVersion();

Solution 4: Correct Transaction Handling

Use a transaction scope or async transactions:

using (var scope = new TransactionScope())
{
    // database operations
    scope.Complete();
}

// or

using (var dbContext = new MyDbContext())
{
    using (var transaction = dbContext.Database.BeginTransaction())
    {
        try
        {
            // database operations
            transaction.Commit();
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            transaction.Rollback();
            throw;
        }
    }
}

Solution 5: Configure EF Core Correctly

Ensure you have the correct configuration settings:

services.AddDbContext<MyDbContext>(options =>
{
    options.UseSqlServer(connectionString);
});

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the common causes of EF Core SaveChanges() fails, troubleshooting steps, and effective solutions. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to identify and resolve the underlying issues, ensuring your database transactions are successful and efficient. Remember to stay vigilant and monitor your application’s performance to prevent future errors.

Solution	Description
Solution 1	Fix database schema issues
Solution 2	Handle invalid data
Solution 3	Handle concurrency conflicts
Solution 4	Correct transaction handling
Solution 5	Configure EF Core correctly

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