LINQ Odyssey: From Conception to C# Coders’ Companion

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This article is not a new concept who already working using LINQ for most of their day-to-day work. Then you may ask me then why should I read your article.

You get an answer while you scroll. Hope you are going to read fully….

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Most .NET developers might be aware of LINQ and its usage of query patterns because we use it to write queries as per the need of the project, and mostly we use this LINQ with EF/EF Core to perform CRUD operations. In this article, I am not covering how this query pattern looks and its CRUD operations here.

But, Every .NET developer should be aware of this, before/after they work using LINQ in their daily work. Usually, we might not spend time on the history and it’s evolution of LINQ but sure you will going to learn something new/recall about LINQ which helps you always think while you are writing queries.

You might get a question, why should I know about LINQ?
Please find the reason below then you decide whether you want to know about this.

Comparison Before and After LINQ:

Before LINQ, data querying and manipulation required verbose and error-prone loops and conditions. LINQ simplifies this process, making code more concise and understandable. It enhances productivity and maintainability by offering a higher-level abstraction for querying data.

Remember, LINQ is a versatile tool that can significantly enhance your code quality and productivity when used effectively. It’s essential to practice and explore its features to fully leverage its benefits in your projects.

Hope you got an answer for your question to know more about this LINQ?

It’s always better to start your day with questions, so this way, anyone can remember easily what they have learned.

History of LINQ and designed using Canva Team

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What is LINQ?

LINQ, or Language Integrated Query, is a powerful feature in C# that provide a consistent and comprehensive way to query data and manipulate data from various sources, such as collections, databases, XML, and more. It allows you to write queries using a SQL-like syntax directly within your code. It greatly enhances the readability and maintainability of your code when dealing with data.

When Did LINQ Emerge?

LINQ was introduced with the release of Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5. It marked a significant shift in how data manipulation was approached in C# programming.

Why we are choosing LINQ?

LINQ simplifies data querying and manipulation by providing a unified approach. It eliminates the need for writing separate code to interact with different data sources. This leads to increased productivity and reduced code complexity.

What problems are solved by LINQ:

• Code Clutter: LINQ reduces the need for explicit iteration, simplifying code and making it more readable.
• Type Safety: LINQ provides compile-time type checking, reducing runtime errors.
• Separation of Concerns: LINQ promotes a clearer separation between data retrieval/manipulation and business logic.
• Standardized Querying: LINQ offers a consistent query language across various data sources.

Where Does LINQ Fit?

LINQ can be used in a wide range of scenarios, including:

• Querying collections (lists, arrays, dictionaries, etc.).
• Retrieving data from databases using LINQ to SQL or Entity Framework/EF Core.
• Parsing and querying XML data.
• Querying web services and other external data sources.

How to Use LINQ and Prerequisites?

To use LINQ, you need a good understanding of C# fundamentals and data structures.

Basic steps include:

• Importing the System.Linq namespace.
• Creating a data source (e.g., a list or an array).
• Writing LINQ queries using the provided query operators (e.g., from, Where, Select, OrderBy).
• Executing the query using methods like ToListAsync, ToArray, or FirstOrDefault,SingleOrDefault.

Pros & Cons of LINQ:

Pros:
1. Readability and expressiveness of code.
2. Reduced boilerplate code.
3. Improved type safety and compile-time error checking.
4. Abstraction over different data sources.

Cons:
1. Slight performance overhead compared to low-level, hand-optimized loops in some cases.
2. The learning curve for mastering the various query operators and techniques.

I tried giving you the simplest way of understanding this LINQ and its importance. Hope you understand the same.

I started exploring a new article that helps you learn something new!!!

— Bye for now and don’t stop learning :)