When do you use TempData versus ViewData?
PICTURE THIS: RAG CHATBOT
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Simple meaning
TempData survives one redirect via session
WHY — MVC instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about MVC:
They want a clean
contrast on MVC, not two memorised paragraphs.
Say what changes for
the developer, then one case where picking wrong hurts.
Stay structured
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
Close cleanly
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1TempData survives one redirect
via session
- 2ViewData is for the
current request only.
- 3I use TempData for
post-redirect-get flash messages.
- 4Close with when you
would choose this approach on a real task.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Say this line
“I use TempData for post-redirect-get flash messages.”
Break into beats
IuseTempDataforpostredirect
Speaking order
2987408337471632900
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
TempData survives one redirect via session ViewData is for the current request only.