Convert datetime to a formatted string inside a LINQ-to-entities query

Question

How can I convert DateTime into a formatted string?

This is the line in the following query that needs help:

StartDate = string.Format(\         


        

Answer 1

EDIT: Now that I understand the question, I'm giving it another shot :)

var offer = (from p in dc.CustomerOffer
                     join q in dc.OffersInBranch
                         on p.ID equals q.OfferID
                     where q.BranchID == singleLoc.LocationID
                     let value = (p.OriginalPrice - p.NewPrice) * 100 / p.OriginalPrice
                     orderby value descending
                     select new
                     {
                         Title = p.OfferTitle,
                         Description = p.Description,
                         BestOffer=value,
                         ID=p.ID,
                         LocationID=q.BranchID,
                         LocationName=q.CustomerBranch.BranchName,
                         OriginalPrice=SqlFunctions.StringConvert((decimal)p.OriginalPrice),
                         NewPrice=SqlFunctions.StringConvert((decimal)p.NewPrice),
                         StartDate=p.StartDate

                     })
                     .ToList()
                     .Select(x => new Offer()
                     {
                         Title = x.OfferTitle,
                         Description = x.Description,
                         BestOffer=value,
                         ID=x.ID,
                         LocationID=x.BranchID,
                         LocationName=x.CustomerBranch.BranchName,
                         OriginalPrice=x.OriginalPrice,
                         NewPrice=x.NewPrice,
                         StartDate=x.StartDate.ToString("dd.MM.yy")
                     }).First();

I know it's a bit long, but that's the problem with Linq To SQL.

When you use linq, the database call isn't executed until you use something such as ToList() or First() that results in actual objects. Once that SQL call is executed by the first .First() call, you're now working with .NET types, and can use DateTime stuff.