Dotnet Domain Modeling

dotnet-domain-modeling

Domain-Driven Design tactical patterns in C#. Covers aggregate roots, entities, value objects, domain events, integration events, domain services, repository contract design, and the distinction between rich and anemic domain models. These patterns apply to the domain layer itself -- the pure C# model that encapsulates business rules -- independent of any persistence technology.

Out of scope: EF Core configuration and aggregate persistence mapping -- see [skill:dotnet-efcore-architecture]. Tactical EF Core usage (DbContext lifecycle, migrations, interceptors) -- see [skill:dotnet-efcore-patterns]. Input validation at API boundaries -- see [skill:dotnet-validation-patterns]. Choosing between EF Core, Dapper, and ADO.NET -- see [skill:dotnet-data-access-strategy]. Vertical slice architecture and request pipeline patterns -- see [skill:dotnet-architecture-patterns]. Messaging infrastructure and saga orchestration -- see [skill:dotnet-messaging-patterns].

Cross-references: [skill:dotnet-efcore-architecture] for aggregate persistence and repository implementation with EF Core, [skill:dotnet-efcore-patterns] for DbContext configuration and migrations, [skill:dotnet-architecture-patterns] for vertical slices and request pipeline design, [skill:dotnet-validation-patterns] for input validation patterns, [skill:dotnet-messaging-patterns] for integration event infrastructure.

Aggregate Roots and Entities

An aggregate is a cluster of domain objects treated as a single unit for data changes. The aggregate root is the entry point -- all modifications to the aggregate pass through it.

Entity Base Class

Entities have identity that persists across state changes. Use a base class to standardize identity and equality:

public abstract class Entity<TId> : IEquatable<Entity<TId>>
    where TId : notnull
{
    // default! required for ORM hydration; Id is set immediately after construction
    public TId Id { get; protected set; } = default!;

    protected Entity() { } // Required for ORM hydration

    protected Entity(TId id) => Id = id;

    public override bool Equals(object? obj) =>
        obj is Entity<TId> other && Equals(other);

    public bool Equals(Entity<TId>? other) =>
        other is not null
        && GetType() == other.GetType()
        && EqualityComparer<TId>.Default.Equals(Id, other.Id);

    public override int GetHashCode() =>
        EqualityComparer<TId>.Default.GetHashCode(Id);

    public static bool operator ==(Entity<TId>? left, Entity<TId>? right) =>
        Equals(left, right);

    public static bool operator !=(Entity<TId>? left, Entity<TId>? right) =>
        !Equals(left, right);
}

Aggregate Root Base Class

The aggregate root extends Entity and collects domain events:

public abstract class AggregateRoot<TId> : Entity<TId>
    where TId : notnull
{
    private readonly List<IDomainEvent> _domainEvents = [];

    public IReadOnlyList<IDomainEvent> DomainEvents =>
        _domainEvents.AsReadOnly();

    protected AggregateRoot() { }
    protected AggregateRoot(TId id) : base(id) { }

    protected void RaiseDomainEvent(IDomainEvent domainEvent) =>
        _domainEvents.Add(domainEvent);

    public void ClearDomainEvents() => _domainEvents.Clear();
}

Concrete Aggregate Example

public sealed class Order : AggregateRoot<Guid>
{
    public CustomerId CustomerId { get; private set; } = default!;
    public OrderStatus Status { get; private set; }
    public Money Total { get; private set; } = Money.Zero("USD");

    private readonly List<OrderLine> _lines = [];
    public IReadOnlyList<OrderLine> Lines => _lines.AsReadOnly();

    private Order() { } // ORM constructor

    public static Order Create(CustomerId customerId)
    {
        var order = new Order(Guid.NewGuid())
        {
            CustomerId = customerId,
            Status = OrderStatus.Draft
        };

        order.RaiseDomainEvent(new OrderCreated(order.Id, customerId));
        return order;
    }

    public void AddLine(ProductId productId, int quantity, Money unitPrice)
    {
        if (Status != OrderStatus.Draft)
            throw new DomainException("Cannot modify a non-draft order.");

        if (quantity <= 0)
            throw new DomainException("Quantity must be positive.");

        var line = new OrderLine(productId, quantity, unitPrice);
        _lines.Add(line);
        RecalculateTotal();
    }

    public void Submit()
    {
        if (Status != OrderStatus.Draft)
            throw new DomainException("Only draft orders can be submitted.");

        if (_lines.Count == 0)
            throw new DomainException("Cannot submit an empty order.");

        Status = OrderStatus.Submitted;
        RaiseDomainEvent(new OrderSubmitted(Id, Total));
    }

    private void RecalculateTotal() =>
        Total = _lines.Aggregate(
            Money.Zero(Total.Currency),
            (sum, line) => sum.Add(line.LineTotal));
}

Aggregate Design Rules

For the EF Core persistence implications of these rules (navigation properties, owned types, cascade behavior), see [skill:dotnet-efcore-architecture].

Value Objects

Value objects have no identity -- they are defined by their attribute values. Two value objects with the same attributes are equal. In C#, record and record struct provide natural value semantics.

Record-Based Value Objects

// Simple value object -- wraps a primitive to enforce constraints
public sealed record CustomerId
{
    public string Value { get; }

    public CustomerId(string value)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(value))
            throw new DomainException("Customer ID cannot be empty.");

        Value = value;
    }

    public override string ToString() => Value;
}

// Composite value object -- multiple properties with validation
public sealed record Address
{
    public string Street { get; }
    public string City { get; }
    public string State { get; }
    public string PostalCode { get; }
    public string Country { get; }

    public Address(string street, string city, string state,
                   string postalCode, string country)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(street))
            throw new DomainException("Street is required.");
        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(city))
            throw new DomainException("City is required.");
        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(postalCode))
            throw new DomainException("Postal code is required.");

        Street = street;
        City = city;
        State = state;
        PostalCode = postalCode;
        Country = country;
    }
}

Money Value Object

Money is the canonical example of a multi-field value object with behavior:

public sealed record Money
{
    public decimal Amount { get; }
    public string Currency { get; }

    public Money(decimal amount, string currency)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(currency))
            throw new DomainException("Currency is required.");

        Amount = amount;
        Currency = currency.ToUpperInvariant();
    }

    public static Money Zero(string currency) => new(0m, currency);

    public Money Add(Money other)
    {
        EnsureSameCurrency(other);
        return new Money(Amount + other.Amount, Currency);
    }

    public Money Subtract(Money other)
    {
        EnsureSameCurrency(other);