Language Integrated Query

LINQ api provide a way to access Object Data, Relational Data, and XML Data. System.LINQ defines more than 50 operators(also called standard query operator and can also be extendable) which are similar to SQL operators. Static type checking allows the assignment of selected result in correct IEnumerable object.

It was also misunderstood in early days of LINQ concept that only database is accessible from API. LINQ can used with any data object which are in main memory. It is really easy to use LINQ and filter item in list instead of writing foreach code and then apply if else conditions.

LINQ to SQL translates query expression into T-SQL It is simple ORM.

Some cool facts about LINQ.

LINQ query does not execute until it is actually use/access by code. This concept is called Deferred Execution. So most operators are lazy.

New Series

In recent month I was not much active on my blog. Now I am seriously thinking to write more on WCF, and LINQ.

Let me know your favorite topics or suggestions.

iSad

Steve Jobs changed the computing experience from large computers to personal computers.
He further revolutionized the computing by changing keyboard hits to clicks and then clicks to touches.

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new."

Serialization/Deserialization

Serialization is the process of converting object into linear sequence of byte, while deserialization is constructing object from that serialized linear sequence of byte. Serialization allows to store the content of object on file, transmit across network or send to another process. Serialization is used in distributed application.

.Net provide clean way to achieve serialization and deserialization in just few lines of code.

SoapFormatter/BinaryFormatter.Serialize/Deserialize methods are used.

Asynchronous ASP.NET Programming

SharePoint Saturday Houston 2011

SharePoint Saturday Houston 2011 event is going to happen on May 7.

"SharePoint Saturday is an educational, informative & lively day filled with sessions from respected SharePoint professionals & MVPs, covering a wide variety of SharePoint-orientated topics. SharePoint Saturday is FREE, open to the public and is your local chance to immerse yourself in SharePoint!"

For more information please visit SharePoint Saturday Houston website.

Please register for SharePoint Saturday Houston Event.

NULL

Earlier, I posted blog on T-SQL ISNULL() function. I realized that it is not good idea to post something before sharing knowledge on NULL.

NULL is considered as unknown and result of any expression that include null is also unknown. It is good idea to test null to avoid unknown result. SQL provide IS operator to test null value.

WHERE Expression IS NULL

Linked Server

I was looking for a linked server in SQL management studio. I can see bunch of linked server but not sure which one I needed.

I found out that following query not only list the linked server name, but also server name, database name information.

Here is the query.

SELECT * from sys.servers
WHERE is_linked = 1

Happy SQLing!!

ISNULL

ISNULL ( check_expression , replacement_value )

Today, I am writing my thoughts on T-SQL specific function isnull(). Current database system allows null values. Null itself does not show any meaning but when end users need data reports/application require data then it becomes problem.

ISNULL function convert null values into meaningful data value. Isnull function checks expression and if it founds null then replace it with second argument (replacement value expression) otherwise return first argument.

We still have coalesce() and nullif() functions to control null values in more flexible way.