entity framework 5 - Trying to pass back the results of a LINQ query from a middle tier class -

i need feature...

the first query works fine:

public list<project> getprojectbycustomerid(int16 customerid)         {             try             {                 using (yeagertechentities dbcontext = new yeagertechentities())                 {                     dbcontext.configuration.proxycreationenabled = false;                     dbcontext.database.connection.open();                      ienumerable<project> project = dbcontext.projects.where(p => p.customerid == customerid);                      list<project> myprojects = new list<project>();                      myprojects = project.tolist();                      return myprojects;                 }             }             catch (exception ex)             {                 throw ex;             }         } 

the second query has project list , want bring columns in query, giving me error: "cannot convert type iqueryable anonymoustype#1 generic.list". design time compile error on entire sql statement right before "(s =>"

public list<project> getprojectbycustomerid(int16 customerid)         {             try             {                 using (yeagertechentities dbcontext = new yeagertechentities())                 {                     dbcontext.configuration.proxycreationenabled = false;                     dbcontext.database.connection.open();                      list<project> myprojects = new list<project>();                      myprojects = dbcontext.projects.include("timetrackings").where(p => p.customerid == customerid && p.category.categoryid == 5 && p.customer.city == "ny" && p.status.statusid == 1 && p.priority.priorityid == 2).select(s => new                     {                         pridesc = s.priority.description,                         s.notes,                         stadesc = s.status.description                     });                      return myprojects;                 }             }             catch (exception ex)             {                 throw ex;             }         } 

the third query allows me select columns need. whole query fine, except can't pass "project" variable. design time compile error of: "cannot convert type generic.list.anonymoustype#1 generic.list "

public list<string> getprojectbycustomerid(int16 customerid)         {             try             {                 using (yeagertechentities dbcontext = new yeagertechentities())                 {                     dbcontext.configuration.proxycreationenabled = false;                     dbcontext.database.connection.open();                      var project = dbcontext.projects.include("timetrackings").where(p => p.customerid == customerid && p.category.categoryid == 5 && p.customer.city == "ny" && p.status.statusid == 1 && p.priority.priorityid == 2).select(s => new                     {                         pridesc = s.priority.description,                         s.notes,                         stadesc = s.status.description                     }).tolist();                      return project;                 }             }             catch (exception ex)             {                 throw ex;             }         } 

what correct way (syntax wise well) pass second , third queries?

i know can third query right in code-behind , bind grid "var" variable datasource. however, i appreciate if can inform me how can pass second , third query types front end middle tier class.

you're creating anonymous types in select methods, not strings or projects. first query works because you're returning list<project>.

if don't want entire project, subset of fields, create new class holds fields need, , use in select() instead of creating anonymous type. illustration of technique, see here.