Dropdownlist using LINQ/MVC3/C# problem getting it to bind - linq

Question

I am super new to MVC3 and C#, so excuse my noob questions. I have been struggling with this for almost a full day and hope someone can shed some light (I have scoured this site for clues, hints, answers as well).
I have a single table in my database which will hold all the data. It is for a profile editor which will store values that the user can populate their timekeeping entry form automatically upon select. I am on step one though, trying to populate the first dropdownlist with the profile name. I am using LINQ, MVC3/ Razer, and C#.
Here is my dbml:
Cant post image cause I am new
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/timem.png/
Here is my model:
namespace Timekeeping.Models
{
public class Profile
{
public int Profile_ID { get; set; }
public string profilename { get; set; }
public string networkuserid { get; set; }
public int projectnumber { get; set; }
public int costcode { get; set; }
public int paycode { get; set; }
public int jobtype { get; set; }
public int workorder { get; set; }
public int activity { get; set; }
public string taxarea { get; set; }
public IEnumerable<Profile> profiles { get; set; }
}
public class ProfileViewModel
{
public int Profile_ID { get; set; }
public IEnumerable<SelectListItem> profiles { get; set; }
}
}
Here is my Controller:
namespace Timekeeping.Controllers
public class TimeProfileController : Controller
{
private static String strConnString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["timekeepingConnectionString"].ConnectionString;
[HttpGet]
public ActionResult ProfileSelect()
{
profileConnectionDataContext dataContext = new profileConnectionDataContext(strConnString);
var model = new ProfileViewModel();
var rsProfile = from fbs in dataContext.TimeProfiles select fbs;
ViewData["ProfileList"] = new SelectList(rsProfile, "Profile_ID", "profilename");
return View(model);
}
}
And here are all the different html helpers I have tried for my View(none work):
#Html.DropDownList("rsProfile", (SelectList)ViewData["ProfileList"]))
#Html.DropDownListFor(
x => x.Profile_ID,
new SelectList(Model.profiles, "Values", "Text"),
"-- Select--"
)
#Html.DropDownListFor(model => model.Profile_ID, Model.profilename)
I know this is a mess to look at, but I am hoping someone can help so I can get on with the hard parts. Thanks in advance for any help I get from the community

Answer 1

Hope it will work surely...
Inside Controller :
var lt = from result in db.Employees select new { result.EmpId, result.EmpName };
ViewData[ "courses" ] = new SelectList( lt, "EmpId", "EmpName" );
Inside View :
<%: Html.DropDownList("courses") %>

Answer 2

Try this:
public class TimeProfileController : Controller
{
private static String strConnString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["timekeepingConnectionString"].ConnectionString;
[HttpGet]
public ActionResult ProfileSelect()
{
var dataContext = new profileConnectionDataContext(strConnString);
var profiles = dataContext.TimeProfiles.ToArray().Select(x => new SelectListItem
{
Value = x.Profile_ID,
Text = x.profilename
});
var model = new ProfileViewModel
{
profiles = profiles
};
return View(model);
}
}
and in the view:
#model ProfileViewModel
#Html.DropDownListFor(
x => x.Profile_ID,
new SelectList(Model.profiles, "Values", "Text"),
"-- Select--"
)

Answer 3

If you are using a model class just try this:
<%: Html.DropDownList("EmpId", new SelectList(Model, "EmpId", "EmpName")) %>
If you want to add click event for drop down list try this:
<%: Html.DropDownList("courses", ViewData["courses"] as SelectList, new { onchange = "redirect(this.value)" }) %>
In the above one redirect(this.value) is a JavaScript function