C# Linq where clause as a variable

Question

I am trying to make a LINQ statement where the where clause comes from a variable. For example:

string whereClause = address.zip == 23456; var x = from something in someList where whereClause; 

Is this possible? I cannot seem to get it to work.

thanks,

Update - my where clause is predefined and will be based on user input so I don't think this will work for me. Basically whereClause is not constructed in the method, it is a parameter of the method which does the LINQ. I didn't explain that well here is a better example:

public void doLnq(string whereClause) {    var x = from something in someList where whereClause;    dowork(x); } 

Update - Just to sum up some of the suggestions and centralize everything.

I cannot use a switch to generate the where clause because there are way to many possibilities.

The dynamic linq post that a few of you have posted does look promising but i am having trouble related the linq to sql example to my linq to objects problem.

and @sLaks after looking through msdn http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb353734.aspx I am having trouble figuring out where you meant to use AsQueryable

thanks,

Answer 1

You need to assembly an Expression<Func<T, bool>> and pass it to the Where() extension method:

Expression<Func<T, bool>> whereClause = a => a.zip == 23456; var x = frSomeList.Where(whereClause); 

EDIT: If you're using LINQ to Objects, remove the word Expression to create an ordinary delegate.

Answer 2

This:

var query = from something in someList where whereClause; 

is shorthand for:

var query = someList.Where(something => whereClause); 

Assuming someList is an IEnumerable<Address>, Where refers to the Enumerable.Where Extension Method. This method expects a Func<Address, bool> which you can define as follows:

Func<Address, bool> whereClause = address => address.Zip == 23456; var query = someList.Where(whereClause);