.netasp.net-mvc-3differenceviewbagviewdata

What's the difference between ViewData and ViewBag?

I saw the ViewBag in MVC 3. How's that different than ViewData in MVC 2?

Solution

  • It uses the C# 4.0 dynamic feature. It achieves the same goal as viewdata and should be avoided in favor of using strongly typed view models (the same way as viewdata should be avoided).

    So basically it replaces magic strings:

    ViewData["Foo"]

    with magic properties:

    ViewBag.Foo

    for which you have no compile time safety.

    I continue to blame Microsoft for ever introducing this concept in MVC.

    The name of the properties are case sensitive.