How can I conditionally apply a Linq operator?

Solution 1:

if you want to only filter if certain criteria is passed, do something like this

var logs = from log in context.Logs
           select log;

if (filterBySeverity)
    logs = logs.Where(p => p.Severity == severity);

if (filterByUser)
    logs = logs.Where(p => p.User == user);

Doing so this way will allow your Expression tree to be exactly what you want. That way the SQL created will be exactly what you need and nothing less.

Solution 2:

If you need to filter base on a List / Array use the following:

    public List<Data> GetData(List<string> Numbers, List<string> Letters)
    {
        if (Numbers == null)
            Numbers = new List<string>();

        if (Letters == null)
            Letters = new List<string>();

        var q = from d in database.table
                where (Numbers.Count == 0 || Numbers.Contains(d.Number))
                where (Letters.Count == 0 || Letters.Contains(d.Letter))
                select new Data
                {
                    Number = d.Number,
                    Letter = d.Letter,
                };
        return q.ToList();

    }