LINQ For Dummies®

Introduction

Language INtegrated Query (LINQ) sounds like some kind of formlessquestion that depends on how someone speaks. Of course, your queries are integrated with your language! How can you make them otherwise?

LINQ is actually a new feature of .NET Framework that expands your grasp well beyond things Microsoft. In fact, after playing with LINQ for quite some time I thought I'd start to run out of new data sources to query, but it hasn't happened yet. You can use LINQ to query just about anything (and I only say "just about" because I'm sure there is something LINQ can't reach).

The thing that should excite you most about LINQ is that it helps you access technologies that you couldn't ordinarily access or couldn't do so with ease. For example, you can use LINQ to access MySQL easily, without considering a workaround. You can also access Resource Description Framework (RDF) files, something that would be tough without LINQ. You get all of these additional opportunities to access varied data sources and you'll write less code, not more, to do it. LINQ is truly one of the most interesting features that Microsoft has ever added to .NET Framework, and you'd miss out on a lot if you didn't explore the LINQ technology for your own programming needs.

About This Book

LINQ For Dummies is your gateway to a new world — one in which you can ask questions (programmatically) of literally anything. This book starts with the basics. You need to discover the LINQ basics before you can begin pulling ...