LINQ is the project name for a set of extensions to the .NET Framework that provide a generic approach to querying data from different data sources. LINQ made its debut in Visual Studio 2008, and became a must–have skill for .NET developers. For more information about LINQ, you can check out www.linqdev.com. Starting with code and ending with code and tailored for the VB language, Pro LINQ: Language Integrated Query in VB 2008 is a veritable treasury of LINQ examples that will save you hours, even days, of research time. Keeping you focused on the relevant LINQ principles, expert author Joseph Rattz, Jr., and VB specialist Dennis Hayes provide examples for complex models that you won't find anywhere else. In most books, you'll find plenty of simple examples to demonstrate how to use a method, but authors rarely show how to use the more complex prototypes. Pro LINQ: Language Integrated Query in VB 2008 is different. Demonstrating the overwhelming majority of LINQ operators and protoypes, Joseph Rattz, Jr., and Dennis Hayes condense their extensive experience and expertise into a desk companion that is essential for any serious .NET professional. Rather than obscure the relevant LINQ principles in code examples by focusing on a demonstration application you have no interest in writing, this book cuts right to the chase of each LINQ operator, method, or class. However, where complexity is necessary to truly demonstrate an issue, the examples are right there in the thick of it. For example, code samples demonstrating how to handle concurrency conflicts actually create concurrency conflicts so you can step through the code and see them unfold. Most books tell you about the simple stuff, while few books warn you of the pitfalls. Where Pro LINQ: Language Integrated Query in VB 2008 returns your investment is in the hours, and sometimes days, spent by the authors determining why something may not work as expected. Sometimes this results in an innocent–looking paragraph that may take you a minute to read and understand, but took days to research and explain. Face it, most technical books while informative, are dull. LINQ need not be dull. Written with a sense of humor, this book will attempt to entertain you on your journey through the wonderland of LINQ and VB 2008.

Professional LINQ introduces experienced programmers and database developers to LINQ database queries in their native VB and C# languages. Some of the topics covered include: LINQ Queries LINQ and the Standard Query Operators Programming with XLinq Querying XML with XLinq Mixing XML and other data models DLinq and Queries LINQ over datasets Interoperating with ADO.NET LINQ and ASP.NET

Every C# programmer needs to learn about LINQ (Language–Integrated Query), Microsoft's breakthrough technology for simplifying and unifying data access from any data source. With LINQ, you can write more elegant and flexible code—not just to access databases and files, but to manipulate data structures and XML. This book is a short, yet comprehensive guide to the major features of LINQ and the significant enhancements introduced with .NET 3.5. There is no better source for getting a head–start on the future of these technologies than this book. A clear and comprehensive yet concise introduction to using LINQ in C# Covers LINQ to Objects, LINQ to SQL, LINQ to DataSet, and LINQ to XML Rich in working examples of LINQ in action Ideal for C# programmers at any level

Every C# programmer needs to learn about LINQ (Language-Integrated Query), Microsoft’s breakthrough technology for simplifying and unifying data access from any data source. It is the first step into the future of .NET programming. This book is a short yet comprehensive guide to the major features of LINQ, which provide significant enhancements to the next versions of C#, .NET, and ADO.NET and are available today for production programming. There is no better source for getting a headstart on the future of these technologies than this book.

LINQ (Language INtegrated Query) is a new addition to the .NET Framework that Microsoft will be releasing alongside the next version of Visual Studio ("Orcas") in mid-2007. Foundations of LINQ in C# is the first book on the subject to provide a complete overview of this important emerging technology. In a fast-paced 250 pages readers are taken through all of LINQ’s important features and shown how the technology can be put to practical use quickly and simply. By reading this book you will be able to get ahead of the game and be ready when the new technology breaks.

Get a head start on using the Microsoft Language Integrated Query (LINQ) Project with advance insights from two experienced developers. Data-rich applications can be difficult to create because of the tremendous differences between query languages used to access data and programming languages commonly used to write applications. This practical guide introduces LINQ, a set of extensions to the Microsoft Visual C# and Microsoft Visual Basic programming languages. Instead of traversing different language syntaxes required for accessing data from relational and hierarchical data sources, developers will learn how to write queries natively in C# or Visual Basic. Written by two experienced developers with strong ties to Microsoft's developer teams, this book introduces the LINQ architecture and classes, describes the new language features in both C# and Visual Basic, and provides code samples in both languages.

If you’ve asked yourself “Why can’t I develop database and XML queries in a language I already know?”, then Language INtegrated Query, or LINQ, is for you. LINQ For Dummies introduces you to LINQ and the .NET Framework technologies, so you can use LINQ to query any object, any data set, any kind of XML, and SQL Server—no questions asked. This plain-English guide gives you a thorough overview of LINQ, from understanding the tasks it performs to making LINQ work with both Visual Basic and Visual Studio 2005. It explains the four LINQ providers in the .NET Framework, the easiest ways to go about accessing data, and how to write more efficient applications with less code using LINQ. There’s also clear guidance on combining third-party providers with LINQ to create even more powerful apps. With this single, comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to: Use one query language with all Microsoft languages Examine .NET language extensions and work with extension methods, partial methods, lambda expressions, and query expressions LINQ to DataSet operators, SQL server operations, XML API, or Active Directory Deal with databases — download and install the Northwind database, generate Northwind entity classes, and create the Northwind XML mapping file Create the partial class example, the partial method example, and the database modification example Use objects with LINQ Query databases in Visual Basic and C# As an added bonus, you can visit the companion Web site for LINQ examples in C# and Visual Basic. With LINQ For Dummies, you’ll link up with LINQ in no time and see how you can query almost anything! Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.