c# - Entity Framework Check virtual Lists after disposing of ObjectContext -

my scenario have object foo has virtual list<bar> property on it. being auto generated ef.

after load foo dispose of data context, turning foo business object through dto. example

var newfoo = foo_dto.change(foo); 

inside of foo_dto.change want check if virtual list property empty/null. i understand closing objectcontext , checking navigation property throw error. in data layer there times when return foo list , foo without list.

my question how check navigation property see if list has been populated or not , avoid objectcontext error generating

thank much!!

edit

from comments section, purposely want context closed before check see if loaded list<bar> property.

no, can't, other ugly way of trying , catching exception. can determine whether collection loaded getting owner's dbentityentry, can obtain through context instance.

but if know front collection may addressed outside scope of context, need load while context alive, or not load , prevent lazy loading. should never allow lazy loading occur outside lifespan of context.

in cases means you'll have turn off lazy loading , eagerly load data required consuming method.

the more work ef in disconnected fashion less allow lazy loading. i'm close considering lazy loading anti-pattern.