c# mvc expression to html -

alright, here's deal. able create custom dropdown box system.linq.expressions.expression in c#. know there helpers, dropdownlistfor, i'm not sure how make 1 scratch, or how pull values etc expression.

essentially why i'm doing if use dropdownlistfor 'select' <option> based on it's value, want 'select' option based on it's text instead. if has idea how instead, great.

this have far

public static mvchtmlstring validatededitabledropdownlistfor<tmodel,tproperty>(         htmlhelper<tmodel> htmlhelper,         expression<func<tmodel, tproperty>> expression,         selectlist list,         string defaultoption,         object attribs) {     //basically puts strings html template<div>{0}{1}</div> etc.     return getvalidatedhtml(         htmlhelper.labelfor(expression).tostring() ,         htmlhelper.dropdownlistfor(expression , list , defaultoption , attribs).tostring()         ,htmlhelper.getvalidatederrormessage(expression),false,"editabledropdown"); } 

any ideas on how can have dropdownlistfor make <option> selected, or how create own html element based on expression , selectlist appreciated.

thanks.

why not pass list of selectedlistitems view correct 1 selected it's text controller