YouTipMet Websecurity Createuserandaccount
## WebSecurity.CreateUserAndAccount() Method
The `WebSecurity.CreateUserAndAccount()` method creates a new user profile entry and a corresponding membership account in the database using the specified username and password. It also provides options to define custom profile properties and require account confirmation.
This method is part of the **ASP.NET Web Pages Simple Membership** API, commonly used in WebMatrix and ASP.NET MVC applications to manage user registration and authentication.
---
## Syntax
### C# Syntax
```csharp
public static string CreateUserAndAccount(
string userName,
string password,
object propertyValues = null,
bool requireConfirmationToken = false
)
```
### VB.NET Syntax
```vb
Public Shared Function CreateUserAndAccount (
userName As String,
password As String,
propertyValues As Object,
requireConfirmationToken As Boolean
) As String
```
---
## Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| `userName` | `String` | The unique username for the new user. |
| `password` | `String` | The password for the new user account. |
| `propertyValues` | `Object` | *(Optional)* An object or dictionary containing additional profile properties to be saved in the user profile table (e.g., email, age, or registration date). |
| `requireConfirmationToken` | `Boolean` | *(Optional)* Set to `true` if the account must be explicitly confirmed before the user can log in. The default value is `false`. |
---
## Return Value
* **Type:** `String`
* **Description:** If `requireConfirmationToken` is set to `true`, this method returns a unique confirmation token (as a string) that can be emailed to the user to verify their account. If `requireConfirmationToken` is `false`, the return value is `null`.
---
## Remarks
The `CreateUserAndAccount()` method performs two database operations in a single call:
1. It creates a new record in your custom **User Profile** table (containing the username and any additional properties provided in `propertyValues`).
2. It creates a matching record in the **Membership** table (containing the encrypted password, creation date, and activation status).
### Account Confirmation
If you pass `true` for the `requireConfirmationToken` parameter, the user account is created in an inactive state. You must capture the returned token and send it to the user (typically via email). The user must then visit a confirmation link on your site that calls `WebSecurity.ConfirmAccount(token)` to activate their account.
### Alternative Method
If you have already manually created a record for the user in your User Profile table and only need to create the corresponding membership credentials (password), use the `WebSecurity.CreateAccount()` method instead.
---
## Code Examples
### Example 1: Basic User Registration (No Confirmation Required)
This example demonstrates how to register a new user with basic credentials and an additional profile property (`Email`).
```csharp
@{
if (IsPost) {
string username = Request;
string password = Request;
string email = Request;
try {
// Create user and account with an additional email property
WebSecurity.CreateUserAndAccount(
username,
password,
propertyValues: new { Email = email }
);
// Automatically log in the new user
WebSecurity.Login(username, password);
Response.Redirect("~/Welcome");
}
catch (Exception ex) {
ModelState.AddFormError(ex.Message);
}
}
}
```
### Example 2: Registration with Email Confirmation
This example demonstrates how to create a user account that requires email confirmation before activation.
```csharp
@{
if (IsPost) {
string username = Request;
string password = Request;
string email = Request;
try {
// Create the account and generate a confirmation token
string confirmationToken = WebSecurity.CreateUserAndAccount(
username,
password,
propertyValues: new { Email = email },
requireConfirmationToken: true
);
// Send the confirmation token to the user via email
WebMail.Send(
to: email,
subject: "Please confirm your account",
body: "Use this token to activate your account: " + confirmationToken
);
Response.Redirect("~/Account/RegisterSuccess");
}
catch (Exception ex) {
ModelState.AddFormError(ex.Message);
}
}
}
```
---
## Errors and Exceptions
### InvalidOperationException
An `InvalidOperationException` is thrown if:
* The `WebSecurity.InitializeDatabaseConnection()` method has not been called to initialize the membership system.
* SimpleMembership is disabled or not properly configured in your application's `web.config`.
### MembershipCreateUserException
A `MembershipCreateUserException` is thrown if:
* The `userName` is null or empty.
* The `userName` already exists in the membership database.
* The `password` is null or empty.
* The `password` does not meet the length or complexity requirements.
* The database operation fails due to schema mismatches or connection issues.
---
## Technical Reference
| Name | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Namespace** | `WebMatrix.WebData` |
| **Assembly** | `WebMatrix.WebData.dll` |