Question

I have the following code:

public IList<Reference.Grid> GetGrid(string pk)
{
    return (
        from d in _referenceRepository.GetPk(pk)
        select new Reference.Grid
        {
            PartitionKey = d.PartitionKey,
            RowKey = d.RowKey,
            Value = d.Value,
            Order = d.Order
        })
}

I am new to LINQ but I understand there are two ways I can write a select. Can someone help by telling me how I can rewrite this the other way. Also are there any differences and which way do people most often use?

Answer 1

The two ways you have mentioned are method- and query-syntax. You have used query-syntax.

This is the same in method syntax:

public IList<Reference.Grid> GetGrid(string pk)
{
    return (
    _referenceRepository.GetPk(pk)
    .Select(d => new Reference.Grid
    {
        PartitionKey = d.PartitionKey,
        RowKey = d.RowKey,
        Value = d.Value,
        Order = d.Order
    })).ToList();
}

Note that i’ve changed it to use ToList to create a List<Reference.Grid>. otherwise it would be an IEnumerable<Reference.Grid>.

Also are there any differences and which way do people most often use?

Use what is most readable and works. There are some methods not supported in query-syntax.

MSDN: LINQ Query Syntax versus Method Syntax (C#)

Which LINQ syntax do you prefer? Fluent or Query Expression