Question

This query actually works but returns new objects with ClientName set to null where FirstName or Lastname is null (any one of the two). How can I get around that? I would like to have an empty string instead of null in those rows.

var clients =
                    from client in _repository.GetAll()
                    where (client.Firstname.StartsWith(query) || client.Lastname.StartsWith(query))
                    select new
                            {
                                ClientName = (client.Firstname + " " + client.Lastname).Trim(),
                                client.Firstname,
                                client.Lastname,
                                client.Address1,
                                client.Address2,
                                client.client_id,
                                client.PrettyId,
                                client.PostCode.postalcode,
                                client.PostCode.postname
                            };

Answer 1

((client.Firstname ?? "") + " " + (client.Lastname ?? "")).Trim();