How to use Lambda in LINQ select statement

C# Problem Overview

I am trying to select stores using a lambda function and converting the result to a SelectListItem so I can render it. However it is throwing a "Type of Expression in Select Clause is Incorrect" error:

IEnumerable<SelectListItem> stores =
    from store in database.Stores
    where store.CompanyID == curCompany.ID
    select (s => new SelectListItem { Value = s.ID, Text = s.Name} );
ViewBag.storeSelector = stores;

What am I doing wrong?

EDIT:

Also, how do I convert Int to String in this situation? The following does not work:

select (s => new SelectListItem { Value = s.ID.ToString(), Text = s.Name} );
select (s => new SelectListItem { Value = s.ID + "", Text = s.Name} );

EDIT 2:

Figure out the Int to String conversion. It is so typical of Microsoft to forget to include an int2string conversion function. Here is the actual workaround everyone is using, with fully working syntax:

select new SelectListItem { Value = SqlFunctions.StringConvert((double)store.ID), Text = store.Name };

To call this situation absurd is an understatement.

C# Solutions

Solution 1 - C#

using LINQ query expression

 IEnumerable<SelectListItem> stores =
        from store in database.Stores
        where store.CompanyID == curCompany.ID
        select new SelectListItem { Value = store.Name, Text = store.ID };
 
 ViewBag.storeSelector = stores;

or using LINQ extension methods with lambda expressions

 IEnumerable<SelectListItem> stores = database.Stores
        .Where(store => store.CompanyID == curCompany.ID)
        .Select(store => new SelectListItem { Value = store.Name, Text = store.ID });
 
 ViewBag.storeSelector = stores;

Solution 2 - C#

Why not just use all Lambda syntax?

database.Stores.Where(s => s.CompanyID == curCompany.ID)
               .Select(s => new SelectListItem
                   {
                       Value = s.Name,
                       Text = s.ID
                   });

Solution 3 - C#

You appear to be trying to mix query expression syntax and "normal" lambda expression syntax. You can either use:

IEnumerable<SelectListItem> stores =
        from store in database.Stores
        where store.CompanyID == curCompany.ID
        select new SelectListItem { Value = store.Name, Text = store.ID};
ViewBag.storeSelector = stores;

Or:

IEnumerable<SelectListItem> stores = database.Stores
        .Where(store => store.CompanyID == curCompany.ID)
        .Select(s => new SelectListItem { Value = s.Name, Text = s.ID});
ViewBag.storeSelector = stores;

You can't mix the two like you're trying to.

Solution 4 - C#

Lambda Expression result

var storesList = context.Stores.Select(x => new { Value= x.name,Text= x.ID }).ToList();

Solution 5 - C#

Using Lambda expressions:

If we don't have a specific class to bind the result:

  var stores = context.Stores.Select(x => new { x.id, x.name, x.city }).ToList();

If we have a specific class then we need to bind the result with it:

 List<SelectListItem> stores = context.Stores.Select(x => new SelectListItem { Id = x.id, Name = x.name, City = x.city }).ToList();

Using simple LINQ expressions: