Question

I’m currently prototyping in C# because that is the only thing it is good for.
Now i’m learning linq and encountered a syntax nitpick.

private List<string> svar1 = new List<string>();
private List<string> svar2 = new List<string>();
private List<string> svar3 = new List<string>();
private List<string> svar4 = new List<string>();
private List<string> svar5 = new List<string>();
... fill lists with data

To get the longest string length in all of these lists i do:

List<List<string>> lists = new List<List<string>>{svar1, svar2, svar3, svar4, svar5};
int ma = lists.Max(lst => lst.Max(str => str.Length));

But it seems too long. Shouldn’t you be able to write it shorter and perhaps more efficient that this?

Something like:

int ma = {svar1, svar2, svar3, svar4, svar5}.Max(lst => lst.Max(str => str.Length));

I’ve watched videos about this linq syntax but it was so long ago i do not remember the syntax. a few internet searches later and i still can’t find a good answer to this.

Update: All lists have about 870 items each.

Answer 1

You’re very close;

int ma = new[] {svar1, svar2, svar3, svar4, svar5}
             .Max(lst => lst.Max(str => str.Length));

should work.