linq to entities - how to query dates that are stored as char?

Question

In the db table the dates are stored in a char(8) field in this format yyyyMMdd. How do I query for a date range?

I tried the following and it does not work:

context.Where(p=> Convert.ToDateTime(p.Date) >= Convert.ToDateTime('20120411');
context.Where(p=> Convert.ToInt32(p.Date) >= Convert.ToInt32('20120411');
context.Where(p=> int.Parse(p.Date) >= int.Parse('20120411');

From what I've read a possible way is to use EntityFunctions class but I'm not sure how to construct the query. Any ideas on how to do this?

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 11 '12 at 20:56

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Convert the test string to a date:

context.Where(p=> Convert.ToDateTime(p.Date) >= DateTime.Parse("2012/04/11 00:00:00");

answered Apr 11 '12 at 20:56

Brian Leeming

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LINQ to Entities does not recognize the method 'System.DateTime ToDateTime(System.String)' method, and this method cannot be translated into a store expression. – dm80 Apr 11 '12 at 21:03

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 12 '12 at 00:50

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context.Where(p=> p.Date.CompareTo("20120411") >= 0);

answered Apr 12 '12 at 00:50

Steve Mallory

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linq to entities - how to query dates that are stored as char?

2 Answers2