How to look at sql generated by EntityFramework when Count is used

Question

When I have a query generated like this:

var query = from x in Entities.SomeTable
            select x;

I can set a breakpoint and after hovering cursor over query I can see what will be the SQL command sent to database. Unfortunately I cannot do it when I use Count

var query = (from x in Entities.SomeTable
            select x).Count();

Of course I could see what comes to SqlServer using profiler but maybe someone has any idea how to do it (if it is possible) in VS.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/dn469464.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396 — Paweł Dyl, Aug 31 '16 at 09:36
If you work on SQL Server, you can use Profiler. https://msdn.microsoft.com/pl-pl/library/ms173799(v=sql.110).aspx — Dawid Wekwejt, Dec 30 '16 at 12:50
LINQPad is a wonderful tool to help in these and many other situations. — NetMage, Jun 29 '17 at 23:33

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 27 '17 at 14:13

0

You can use ToTraceString():

ObjectQuery<SomeTable> query = (from x in Entities.SomeTable select x).Count();
Console.WriteLine(query.ToTraceString());

answered Sep 27 '17 at 14:13

cSteusloff

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 27 '17 at 14:56

You can use the Database.Log to log any query made like this :

using (var context = new MyContext()) 
{ 
    context.Database.Log = Console.Write; 

    // Your code here... 
}

Usually, in my context's constructor, I set that to my logger (whether it is NLog, Log4Net, or the stock .net loggers) and not the console, but actual logging tool is irrelevant.

For more information

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 08 '19 at 03:04

In EF6 and above, you can use the following before your query:

context.Database.Log = s => System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(s);

I've found this to be quicker than pulling up SQL Profiler and running a trace. Also, this post talks more about this topic: How do I view the SQL generated by the Entity Framework?

How to look at sql generated by EntityFramework when Count is used

3 Answers3