LINQ to Entities does not recognize the method

Question

I'm getting the following error when trying to do a linq query:

LINQ to Entities does not recognize the method 'Boolean IsCharityMatching(System.String, System.String)' method, and this method cannot be translated into a store expression.

I've read lots of previous questions where people get the same error, and if I understand this correctly it's because LINQ to Entities requires the whole linq query expression to be translated to a server query, and therefore you can't call an outside method in it. I haven't been able to convert my scenario into something that works yet, and my brain is starting to melt down, so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. We're using Entity Framework and the specification pattern (and I'm new to both).

Here's the code that uses the specification:

ISpecification<Charity> specification = new CharitySearchSpecification(charityTitle, charityReference);

charities = charitiesRepository.Find(specification).OrderBy(p => p.RegisteredName).ToList();

Here's the linq expression:

public System.Linq.Expressions.Expression<Func<Charity, bool>> IsSatisfied()
{
    return p => p.IsCharityMatching(this.charityName, this.charityReference);
}

Here's the IsCharityMatching method:

public bool IsCharityMatching(string name, string referenceNumber)
{
    bool exists = true;

    if (!String.IsNullOrEmpty(name))
    {
        if (!this.registeredName.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower()) &&
            !this.alias.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower()) &&
           !this.charityId.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower()))
        {
            exists = false;
        }
    }

    if (!String.IsNullOrEmpty(referenceNumber))
    {
        if (!this.charityReference.ToLower().Contains(referenceNumber.ToLower()))
        {
            exists = false;
        }
    }

    return exists;
}

Let me know if you need any more information.

Many thanks,

Annelie

Answer 1

As you've figured out, Entity Framework can't actually run your C# code as part of its query. It has to be able to convert the query to an actual SQL statement. In order for that to work, you will have to restructure your query expression into an expression that Entity Framework can handle.

public System.Linq.Expressions.Expression<Func<Charity, bool>> IsSatisfied()
{
    string name = this.charityName;
    string referenceNumber = this.referenceNumber;
    return p => 
        (string.IsNullOrEmpty(name) || 
            p.registeredName.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower()) ||
            p.alias.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower()) ||
            p.charityId.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower())) &&
        (string.IsNullOrEmpty(referenceNumber) ||
            p.charityReference.ToLower().Contains(referenceNumber.ToLower()));
}