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How do I trim a datetime value to just its date value in LINQ?

I have created a c# website using visual studio 2008. I am using the asp.net 3.5 listview control as a frontend to my backend sql server 2005 database. I am using a linq data source (linq to sql) to bind my listview to my backend database. Within the OnSelecting event of my linq data source I have written the attached query which works fine in regards to datetime values that do not allow nulls in my database but unfortunately it was necessary for me to allow nulls in one of my datetime fields (StopDate) which has invertingly not allowed me to reference "ToShortDateString" for that field in my linq query? Is there a way around this at all?

var query = from ptp in db.TrustPayments
                    join ppfl in db.PaymentFrequencyLookups on ptp.FrequencyCode equals ppfl.FrequencyCode
                    join tt in db.Trusts on ptp.TrustID equals tt.TrustID
                    select new { ptp.PaymentID, ptp.TrustID, StopDate = ptp.StopDate.ToShortDateString(), tt.ClientName, tt.MatterNo, ptp.SWDeptAccountNo, ptp.FrequencyCode, ptp.Amount, ptp.PayeeName, ptp.PayeeAddress, ptp.BankName, ptp.BankAddress, ptp.AccountName, ptp.AccountNo, ptp.SortCode, ptp.PaymentNotes, ptp.Archive };

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ToddBeaulieu

I wonder if you can just use inline "if" syntax:

StopDate = (ptp.StopDate != null) ? ptp.StopDate.ToShortDateString() : null

Shepwedd

ASKER

After trying your suggested code I noticed that Intelisense didn't offer me "ToShortDateString()" and when I do type it in I get the error: "System.Nullable<System.DateTime>" does not contain a definition for "ToShortDateString" ...?

ToddBeaulieu

Interesting. So you need to cast it. I tried this snippet and it works with and w/o a date.

System.DateTime? date = null;//System.DateTime.Now;
Console.WriteLine((date != null) ? ((DateTime)date).ToShortDateString() : "");

Fernando Soto

Hi Shepwedd;

Use a conditional if statement to test for null and take the proper action. See code snippet.

Fernando

var query = from ptp in db.TrustPayments
            join ppfl in db.PaymentFrequencyLookups on ptp.FrequencyCode equals ppfl.FrequencyCode
            join tt in db.Trusts on ptp.TrustID equals tt.TrustID
            select new { ptp.PaymentID, 
                         ptp.TrustID, 
                         StopDate = if (ptp.StopDate != null) ? ptp.StopDate.ToShortDateString() : String.Empty ,
                         tt.ClientName, 
                         tt.MatterNo, 
                         ptp.SWDeptAccountNo, 
                         ptp.FrequencyCode, 
                         ptp.Amount, 
                         ptp.PayeeName, 
                         ptp.PayeeAddress, 
                         ptp.BankName, 
                         ptp.BankAddress, 
                         ptp.AccountName, 
                         ptp.AccountNo, 
                         ptp.SortCode, 
                         ptp.PaymentNotes, 
                         ptp.Archive };

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ToddBeaulieu

We went through that attempt. See my first response. My second post should solve the problem.

Fernando Soto

The 1st attempt seems to be missing the keyword "if"

Fernando Soto

@ ToddBeaulieu; My bad "if" not part of the conditional if statement.

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Fernando Soto

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Sreedhar Vengala

The problem, though, is that SQL Server has no concept of DateTime.ToShortDateString, so the conversion to SQL fails
As FernandoSoto his query works fine.
Also you can do by:
Eg:

var list = (from p in Products           select p.SellEndDate).ToList();// calling ToList() above means we have the entire resultset in memory and// no longer have to pass the query back to SQL Servervar stuff = from p in list select new{     selldate = p.SellEndDate == null ?                   string.Empty :                   p.SellEndDate.Value.ToShortDateString()};

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Sreedhar Vengala

var list = (from p in Products
select p.SellEndDate).ToList();

// calling ToList() above means we have the entire resultset in memory and
// no longer have to pass the query back to SQL Server

var stuff = from p in list select new
{
selldate = p.SellEndDate == null ?
string.Empty :
p.SellEndDate.Value.ToShortDateString()
};

Shepwedd

ASKER

Excelllent, this worked a treat! Just for reference though, your initial code suggestion that included the "if" didn't work.

Fernando Soto

To your statement, "your initial code suggestion that included the "if" didn't work.", correct as I stated that on post 05/18/09 11:11 PM, ID: 24418184, Writing code in both C# and VB .Net, the syntax gets blured sometimes.

ToddBeaulieu

what i found most interesting was that the final solution was exactly the same as the solution i posted 5 entries prior! no biggie, i see a lot of that here.

Fernando Soto

@ ToddBeaulieu;

Not exactly the same. Please note that first I set a range variable called Date to the conditional if statement outside the Select clause once that is done I use that range variable in the Select clause. The compiler has issues with translating the query to T-SQL when done the other way around

This line was added to the query:
let Date = (ptp.StopDate.Value != null) ? ptp.StopDate.Value.ToShortDateString() : String.Empty
This line uses the result of the above line:
StopDate = Date ,

Which is not the same as:
StopDate = (ptp.StopDate != null) ? ptp.StopDate.ToShortDateString() : null

Fernando