Linq query for view returns no elements

Question

Currently, I am trying to populate additional values within the same ViewModel. So what happens is my viewmodel is populated initially via this JsonResult method.

public virtual JsonResult GetInstitutionContacts(Guid? provideruid)
{
    return Json(new { ContactViewModel = _repository.GetContactsByProviderUid(provideruid) }, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
}

The parameter value is set when a user makes a selection from a dropdown list. The repository that my JsonResult method utilizes looks like this:

    public IQueryable<ContactViewModel> GetContactsByProviderUid(Guid? provideruid)
    {
        var q = from r in Context.vw_DistrictContacts.Where(p => p.ProviderUid == provideruid && p.School == AdminBuilding)
                select new ContactViewModel
                {
                    FamilyName = r.GivenNames.ToUpper(),
                    GivenName = r.FamilyNames.ToUpper(),
                    CourtesyTitle = r.Title,
                    ContactId = r.PersonUid
                };
        return q.Distinct();
    }

The table view within my context (Context.vw_DistrictContacts) returns those exact fields(FamilyName, GiveName...). The issue occurs when the user then selects another value. The dropdown selection then triggers this controller method:

        public virtual JsonResult GetSchoolContacts(Guid provideruid)
        {
            return Json(new { ContactViewModel = _repository.GetContacts(provideruid) }, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
        }

This is what the repository method looks like:

   public List<ContactViewModel> GetContacts(Guid? providerUid)
    {
        var q = from r in Context.vw_PersonToSdeUsers.Where(p => p.ProviderUid == providerUid)
                select new ContactViewModel
                {
                    SchoolName = r.SchoolName,
                    ContactId = r.PersonUid,
                    PersonUid = r.PersonUid,
                    FamilyName = r.GivenNames.ToUpper(),
                    GivenName = r.FamilyNames.ToUpper(),
                    SdeUserEmail = r.SdeUserEmail,
                    CourtesyTitle = r.ProgramDescription
                };
        return q.ToList();
    }

Again the table view (Context.vw_PersonToSdeUsers) returns exactly what is expected. But the return value "q.ToList()" is null. I believe the issue is the fact that I am already consuming ContactViewModel. Also I have ran the select statement for the table view and it returns as expected. I have also ran the provider filter and again it returns as expected.

Answer 1

Thanks I have added an entity tag will also add a linq to sql tag since that is what I am using for my ORM. I have solved the issue but I feel it was a bit hack. What I currently have implemented is another model that defines the expected properties and from here I populate it with the GetContacts() method and everything works as expected. Again it feels a bit hack.