I essentially want to sort by if the datetime column has a value and then by the actual value

        var q = from c in dbContext.User  
        where c.IsDisabled == false && c.IsSalesPool == true
        orderby c.LastAssignedContact.HasValue
                     orderby c.LastAssignedContact
        select c;

This throws an error, presumably since it can't map HasValue to a DB function?

I would have though the following would work: var q = from c in dbContext.User orderby (c.LastAssignedContact != null) orderby (c.LastAssignedContact) select c;

But it seems not

Make sure you use the latest build (RC released on june 5th). Also, 'throws an error' is too vague. As stated in the guidelines of this forum and in the beta docs: provide as much info as possible.

Also, you want to sort on a boolean expression. This isn't possible I think (would produce a CASE structure in the ORDER BY clause, I have to see if that's supported in SQL, I can imagine it's not).

I've checked and the query: select * from orders order by case when shipregion is null then 1 else 0 end

indeed works.

I'll build in support for a boolean in orderby clauses.

However, it doesn't really make that much sense: databases already sort nulls and non-nulls, and because the nulls and non-nulls are already grouped but all have the same value (null vs. non-null) the order of THOSE groups is undefined, so the result of such a query is the same as sorting on the field itself.

There's one difference: the way null values are threated is pre-defined per database: are they placed before or after values. With sorting on a boolean you can control this. And, of course you can also sort on boolean expressions which aren't related to null. I'll see what I can do.

Thanks Frans... Sorry for the vague report, wont happen again

I've rework my design a little to eliminate this need, however as you say sorting on boolean expression where null might not be involved would be pretty kewl.

Cheers

Available in the next build (RTM)

var q = from o in metaData.Order
        where o.CustomerId == "BLAUS"
        orderby (o.ShippedDate.HasValue) descending, o.EmployeeId descending
        select o;

and

var q = from o in metaData.Order
        where o.CustomerId == "BLAUS"
        orderby (o.ShippedDate!=null) ascending, o.EmployeeId descending
        select o;

which means: every boolean expression (which ends up in a predicate/ filter in the sortclause) is handled.