How do I use DevExtreme with Razor forms to handle form data in an array?

Handling form data in an array using DevExtreme with Razor forms in ASP.NET Core involves a few key steps. Here's a breakdown of how to achieve this:

1. Setting up the DevExtreme Form:

- First, you'll need to create a DevExtreme form using the `dxForm` widget. This form will contain the fields that represent your array data. You can use `dxTextBox`, `dxNumberBox`, `dxSelectBox`, or any other DevExtreme widget as needed.

2. Defining the Data Structure:

- Your Razor view model should have a property that represents the array of data you want to handle. For example, if you're collecting information about multiple products, you might have a `List` property.

3. Using Razor to Render the Form:

- In your Razor view, use a loop to render the DevExtreme form fields for each item in the array. You'll need to use the correct naming conventions so that the model binder can correctly map the form data to your array property.

4. Example Razor View Code:

@model MyViewModel

@using (Html.BeginForm("SubmitForm", "MyController", FormMethod.Post))
{
  @for (int i = 0; i < Model.Products.Count; i++)
  {
    <div id="productForm@(i)"></div>
    <script>
      $(function() {
        $("#productForm@(i)").dxForm({
          formData: @Html.Raw(Json.Serialize(Model.Products[i])),
          items: [
            { dataField: "Name", label: { text: "Product Name" } },
            { dataField: "Price", label: { text: "Price" }, editorType: "dxNumberBox" }
          ]
        });
      });
    </script>
  }
  <button type="submit">Submit</button>
}

5. Controller Action:

- In your controller, the action method that handles the form submission should accept the view model as a parameter. The model binder will automatically populate the array property with the submitted form data.

6. Example Controller Code:

[HttpPost]
public IActionResult SubmitForm(MyViewModel model)
{
  if (ModelState.IsValid)
  {
    // Process the model.Products array
    return RedirectToAction("Success");
  }
  return View(model);
}

7. Important Considerations:

- Ensure that the `name` attributes of your form fields are correctly formatted to match the array structure in your view model. The model binder relies on this to correctly map the data.

- If you need to dynamically add or remove items from the array, you'll need to use JavaScript to update the form and the underlying data structure.

By following these steps, you can effectively use DevExtreme with Razor forms to handle form data in an array. This approach allows you to create complex forms with dynamic data structures while leveraging the power of DevExtreme's UI components.

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