I have this:
query = query.Where(s => s.ShowTypeDescription == showTypeDescription);
several times for different variables in order to build dynamic SQL.
How would I go about transforming the above to say:
query = query.Where(s => s.ShowTypeDescription **LIKE** showTypeDescription);
?
If all you want is to find a substring within another string, the best way to do this is with the Contains
method:
query = query.Where(s => s.ShowTypeDescription.Contains(showTypeDescription));
Because the String.Contains
method translates to:
CHARINDEX(ShowTypeDescription, @showTypeDescription) > 0
Which is roughly equivalent to:
ShowTypeDescription LIKE '%' + @showTypeDescription + '%'
Update: In Linq-to-SQL, you can use the SqlMethods.Like
method:
query = query.Where(s => SqlMethods.Like(s.ShowTypeDescription, showTypeDescription));
This will directly translate to the SQL LIKE
operator. Note, however, this won't work outside of Linq-to-SQL queries. Trying to call this method in other contexts will throw an exception.
query = query.Where(s => s.ShowTypeDescription.Contains(showTypeDescription));
Contains() is translated LIKE '%term%'
StartsWith() = LIKE 'term%'
EndsWith() = LIKE '%term'