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Source Code

The LinqRetValues project can be found under the Chapter 14 subdirectory.

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Summary

LINQ is a set of related technologies that attempts to provide a single, symmetrical manner to inter-

act with diverse forms of data. As explained over the course of this chapter, LINQ can interact with

any type implementing the IEnumerable interface, including simple arrays as well as generic and

nongeneric collections of data.

As you have seen over the course of this chapter, working with LINQ technologies is accom-

plished using several new C# 2008 language features. For example, given the fact that LINQ query

expressions can return any number of result sets, it is common to make use of the var keyword to

represent the underlying data type. As well, lambda expressions, object initialization syntax, and

anonymous types can all be used to build very functional and compact LINQ queries.

More importantly, you have seen how the C# LINQ query operators are simply shorthand

notations for making calls on static members of the System.Linq.Enumerable type. As shown, most

members of Enumerable operate on Func delegate types, which can take literal method addresses,

anonymous methods, or lambda expressions as input to evaluate the query.

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