c# - MVC routing with "optional" routes -

i'm bit baffled how mvc figuring out routing details. let me see if can explain right.

so ... given have default route ...

routes.maproute(     "default",     "{controller}/{action}/{id}",     new { controller = "cms", action = "getpage", id = urlparameter.optional } ); 

and app content management system want create nice urls site structure i'll map wildcard url lets me determine if need render 404 based on what's in database ...

routes.maproute(     "cms",     "{*path}",      new { controller = "cms", action = "getpage", path = string.empty }  ); 

herein lies problem.

mvc match default route because technically no params required assuming "getpage" on "cms" controller requires no params, not want.

what i'm trying "given 2 or 3 url parts, controller , action match optional id parameter other urls including ones can't match route fall down in cms route".

the "easy" way found change first route ...

routes.maproute(     "default",     "get/{controller}/{action}/{id}",     new { controller = "cms", action = "getpage", id = urlparameter.optional } ); 

then url starts "get/" match route , other routes automatically fall down in second route, doesn't sit right somewhere in head , can't figure out quite why yet (i think it's because doesn't solve problem moves it).

my problem don't want route says "given no values match route anyway" changed ...

routes.maproute(     "default",     "{controller}/{action}/{id}" ); 

now odd reason literally every request hitting catch (not quite want close).

so ideas guys?

edit:

i came touch closer ...

    routes.maproute(         "default",          "{controller}/{action}/{id}",          new { id = urlparameter.optional}     ); 

... matches urls 2 parts "foo/bar" rather dropping through should other route because there no "foo" controller.

ok have solution, works me because 99% of requests need map cms route in case may not if have lot of controllers need map to.

i hoping find ideal solution merely ideal in scenario ...

so assuming have (like me) cms controller , accounts controller can this:

    routes.maproute("account", "account/{action}", new { controller = "account" });      routes.maproute(         "default",         "{*path}",          new { controller = "cms", action = "getpage", path = string.empty }      ); 

that way urls starting "account" caught first rule, , else falls through default route , gets handled cms controller.

i plan add more routes add more controllers. it's not ideal solution because mean end lot of route mappings in long term enough solution meet needs.

hope helps else out there.