Are you ready to revolutionize the way you can work with data? This book shows you how to effectively utilize LINQ so that you can query XML, SQLdatabases, ADO.NET DataSets, and other data sources, and it also delvesdeeper into the technology to demonstrate how LINQ can dramatically improve your applications.

Database pro Scott Klein first examines LINQ and Visual Studio® 2008, the language-specific features that support LINQ, as well as LINQ queries and the LINQ standard query operators. He then shows you how to program with LINQ to XML with both C# and Visual Basic® and how to use LINQ to XML with other data models. Plus, he walks you through LINQ to SQL queries, advanced query concepts, LINQ to Entities, and LINQ to DataSets. All of this valuable insight will provide you with powerful new tools so that you can easily extend and access information in your databases.

What you will learn from this book

• Features of Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework that will help you better understand LINQ

• The syntax to use when writing LINQ queries

• The concepts, techniques, and programming fundamentals necessary to program with LINQ to XML

• How to use LINQ to XML with Visual Basic .NET

• All about LINQ to SQL queries and concepts

• Ways to work with the DataContext class and entity objects

• How to build applications using LINQ and associated LINQ providers

Who this book is for
This book is for developers who want to learn about LINQ and how it can benefit and enhance their applications.

Wrox Professional Guides are planned and written by working programmers to meet the real-world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job.

About the Author

Scott Klein is an independent consultant with a passion for all things SQL Server, .NET, and XML. He is the author of Professional SQL Server 2005 XML and Professional WCF Programming. He also writes the biweekly feature article for the SQL PASS Community Connector, and has contributed articles to both Wrox (www.wrox.com) and TopXML (www.TopXML.com). He frequently speaks to SQL Server and .NET user groups. Scott lives in Wellington, Florida, and when he is not sitting in front of a computer or spending time with his family, he can usually be found aboard his Yamaha at the local motocross track. He can be reached at ScottKlein@SqlXml.com.