How can I get a randomized collection out of linq-to-sql model?

Question

What's the right syntax for this?

var words= from h in db.Words
                  orderby(a => Guid.NewGuid()).ToList()) //error
                  select h;

var words= from h in db.Words
                  orderby((a => Guid.NewGuid()).ToList()) //error
                  select h;

var words= from h in db.Words
                  orderby(Guid.NewGuid()) //no error but doesn't sort
                  select h;

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/648196/random-row-from-linq-to-sql — lubos hasko, Jan 17 '10 at 05:16
interesting but that solution gives me a "Method 'System.Guid Random()' has no supported translation to SQL." error in this case — Edward Tanguay, Jan 17 '10 at 05:24
In that case you've missed off the `[Function(Name="NEWID", IsComposable=true)]` — Marc Gravell, Jan 17 '10 at 10:17

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 17 '10 at 06:09

3

Assuming that you don't mind not having all of your code embedded in the LINQ query, you can try this:

Random rnd = new Random();
var randomWords = from h in db.Words
                     orderby rnd.Next()
                     select h;

Though if you need the Guid approach:

var words = from h in db.Words
            orderby Guid.NewGuid()
            select h;

answered Jan 17 '10 at 06:09

CSharper

236
1
3

The first version would work for LINQ-to-Objects, but not LINQ-to-SQL surely? I'd have to check with the second version, but I didn't *think* that worked... – Marc Gravell Jan 17 '10 at 10:19

How can I get a randomized collection out of linq-to-sql model?

1 Answers1