When Should I Use SaveChanges(false) and AcceptAllChanges() Instead of SaveChanges() in Entity Framework?

Entity Framework: SaveChanges() vs. SaveChanges(false) and AcceptAllChanges() in Transactions

In Entity Framework (EF), the SaveChanges() method typically handles transactional operations effectively. However, situations exist where using SaveChanges(false) in conjunction with AcceptAllChanges() provides superior control and resilience.

One key scenario is managing distributed transactions across multiple EF contexts. A common (but flawed) approach using TransactionScope is:

<code class="language-csharp">using (TransactionScope scope = new TransactionScope())
{
    // ...
    context1.SaveChanges();
    context2.SaveChanges();
    // ...
}</code>

If context2.SaveChanges() fails, the entire transaction rolls back. Critically, EF discards changes made by context1, hindering failure analysis and recovery.

A more robust solution leverages SaveChanges(false) and AcceptAllChanges():

<code class="language-csharp">using (TransactionScope scope = new TransactionScope())
{
    // ...
    context1.SaveChanges(false);
    context2.SaveChanges(false);
    // ...

    if (scope.Complete())
    {
        context1.AcceptAllChanges();
        context2.AcceptAllChanges();
    }
}</code>

SaveChanges(false) submits database commands without discarding changes within the context. This allows for retries or detailed logging if a failure occurs.

Furthermore, consider the potential for identity column conflicts. A concurrent insert after your initial insert but before transaction failure can corrupt identity values. EF lacks a built-in solution for this.

In summary, while SaveChanges() is sufficient for most transactional needs in EF, the combination of SaveChanges(false) and AcceptAllChanges() offers a more robust and flexible approach for handling distributed transactions and addressing specific edge cases like identity column conflicts and failure recovery.

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