How to use a Func in an expression with Linq to Entity Framework?

Question

I am trying to write a linq to entity extension method that takes a Func to select a property Id and compare it against a list of ids.

Classes

Answer 1

You'll have to pass an Expression<Func<T, int>> instead of an Func<T, int> and build up the complete expression yourself. This will do the trick:

public static IQueryable<T> WithId<T>(this IQueryable<T> entities,
    Expression<Func<T, int>> propertySelector, ICollection<int> ids)
{
    var property =
        (PropertyInfo)((MemberExpression)propertySelector.Body).Member;

    ParameterExpression parameter = Expression.Parameter(typeof(T));

    var expression = Expression.Lambda<Func<T, bool>>(
        Expression.Call(
            Expression.Constant(ids),
            typeof(ICollection<int>).GetMethod("Contains"), 
            Expression.Property(parameter, property)), 
        parameter);

    return entities.Where(expression);
}

When you try to keep your code DRY when working with your O/RM, you will often have to fiddle with expression trees. Here's another fun example.