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Linq Data Source - adding a where clause

Newby question related to LINQ and LINQ DataSource.

I have a standard ASP web page with a gridview attached to a linq data source. A sort order is applied to the data so the most important data is generally at the top but sometimes I need to search (a very simple search)...

I have the code working by putting a hard coded string into .Where but I am confident that is NOT the best way to do this.

With User_Grid_LinqDataSource
.Where = "First_Name.Contains(@SearchText) or Last_Name.Contains(@SearchText)"
.WhereParameters.Clear()
.WhereParameters.Add("SearchText", txtSearch.Text.Trim)
End With

The rest of the story... I have 2 distinct searches based on a combo-box. 'Name' is shown above and 'Address' is the other one.

How do I use linq to apply different where clauses?

dexterrajesh

hi,

pl refer here for some quick samples: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb397927.aspx

jongrossex

ASKER

Thanks. My questions was NOT clear, my fault.

I understand how to create the LINQ query but I do not understand how to associate it back with the LinkDataSource so that it is reflected in the grid.

So after I do the query like below...

var queryLondonCustomers = from cust in customers
where cust.City == "London"
select cust;

How do I associate the results with the data source so that it will be displayed on the grid. I assume it is simple but I can not find the answer... or is there a better way to think about this.

-Jon

Nasir Razzaq

Try using the Where property of the LinqDataSource itself to do the filtering

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.web.ui.webcontrols.linqdatasource.where.aspx

jongrossex

ASKER

We are getting closer... but from the above link I do not want my query coded in a string.

The following code attaches linq data to a gridview

Dim db As New SjuDatalassesDataContext
Dim searchText As String = txtSearch.Text.Trim
Dim userList = From u In db.vUser Where u.First_Name.Contains(searchText) Select u
grid.DataSourceID = Nothing
grid.DataSource = userList
grid.DataBind()

How do I either
- tell the LinqDataSource 'control' to execute the query from the above Linq command
OR
- attached userlist to the LinqDataSource 'control'

dexterrajesh

hi

can you give a try to the select property of the linqdatasource control http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.web.ui.webcontrols.linqdatasource.select.aspx

Linqdatasource control is meant to perform the linq operations..... hence it comes with all required properties and methods to perform linq operations... I am not sure why you want to deviate from this...

jongrossex

ASKER

What I am trying to get away from is a string for the where clause
.Where = "First_Name.Contains(@SearchText) or Last_Name.Contains(@SearchText)"

If my data model changes I do not find out till runtime

Does the 'linqdatasource' have a property that allows me to add a link command? For example:
From u In db.vUser Where u.First_Name.Contains(searchText) Select u
I have looked and did not see any such functionality.

Thanks for your help

dexterrajesh

no you can't do that...

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Nasir Razzaq

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jongrossex

ASKER

That seems exactly what I was looking for. I will give it a try tomorrow.

Always enjoy Scott Gu's blogs.

Nasir Razzaq

Any Luck?

jongrossex

ASKER

Sorry for the delay... that was perfect.