Question

I have a DataTable with a Name column. I want to generate a collection of the unique names ordered alphabetically. The following query ignores the order by clause.

var names =     (from DataRow dr in dataTable.Rows     orderby (string)dr['Name']     select (string)dr['Name']).Distinct(); 

Why does the orderby not get enforced?

Answer 1

To make it more readable and maintainable, you can also split it up into multiple LINQ statements.

1. First, select your data into a new list, let’s call it x1, do a projection if desired
2. Next, create a distinct list, from x1 into x2, using whatever distinction you require
3. Finally, create an ordered list, from x2 into x3, sorting by whatever you desire