patterncsharpMinor

Using AutoMapper to map to and from

Submitted by: @import:stackexchange-codereview·Mar 10, 2026·

Viewed 0 times

mapautomapperusingandfrom

Problem

Sometimes, I need to map from a Domain entity to a ViewModel - to display information.

Other times, I need to map from a ViewModel to a Domain entity - for persistance of data.

Is this kosher or does this code smell?

protected void Application_Start() 
{
    AreaRegistration.RegisterAllAreas();
    MapObjects();
    RegisterGlobalFilters(GlobalFilters.Filters);
    RegisterRoutes(RouteTable.Routes);
}

private void MapObjects()
{
    Mapper.CreateMap();

    Mapper.CreateMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap();

    Mapper.CreateMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap();
}

Solution

Automapper ReverseMap

This is a more succint way to register your classes. Automapper is able to create a two-way mapping expression using ReverseMap.

private void MapObjects()
{
    Mapper.CreateMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap().ReverseMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap().ReverseMap();
}

As opposed to the mirrored registration..

private void MapObjects()
{
    Mapper.CreateMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap();
}

Code Snippets

private void MapObjects()
{
    Mapper.CreateMap<UserModel, User>();
    Mapper.CreateMap<ProductBrandModel, ProductBrand>().ReverseMap();
    Mapper.CreateMap<ProductCategoryModel, ProductCategory>().ReverseMap();
}

private void MapObjects()
{
    Mapper.CreateMap<UserModel, User>();
    Mapper.CreateMap<ProductBrandModel, ProductBrand>();
    Mapper.CreateMap<ProductBrand, ProductBrandModel>();
    Mapper.CreateMap<ProductCategoryModel, ProductCategory>();
    Mapper.CreateMap<ProductCategory, ProductCategoryModel>();
}

Context

StackExchange Code Review Q#4369, answer score: 3

Revisions (0)

No revisions yet.