Chapter 1. Introducing LINQ

Goals of this chapter:

Define “Language Integrated Query” (LINQ) and why it was built. Define the various components that make up LINQ. Demonstrate how LINQ improves existing code.

This chapter introduces LINQ—from Microsoft’s design goals to how it improves the code we write for data access-based applications. By the end of this chapter, you will understand why LINQ was built, what components makeup the LINQ family, and LINQ’s advantages over previous technologies. And you get a chance to see the LINQ syntax at work while reviewing some before and after code makeovers.