LINQ query expression versus fluent (dot) notation

Question

Dim namePriceQuery = From prod In products
                     Select prod.Name, prod.Price

OR

Dim namePriceQuery = products.select(function(x) New With{ Key .newName =x.name _ 
, Key .newPrice= x.price})

To my knowledge the only difference is with with the second expression has the benefits of the Key keyword. What exactly is the difference between the two?? And what scenarios would I choose to use one or the other in? What are the pros and cons of one vs the other?

I am assuming the C# syntax equivalent will work the same and should be used in similar before mention scenarios. Thank you very much!

which itself links to yet another dupe. [Which LINQ syntax do you prefer? Fluent or Query Expression](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/214500/which-linq-syntax-do-you-prefer-fluent-or-query-expression) both have good answers. — gideon, Apr 06 '11 at 19:31

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 06 '11 at 19:10

3

Either one works the same but I would choose the one that is most readable.

answered Apr 06 '11 at 19:10

Evan Larsen

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which would you consider most readable. i prefer the linq way myself – gh9 Apr 06 '11 at 19:12
The Fluent API is harder to grasp at first, but all the senior DEVs I know are fluent all the way. – Mr. B Aug 04 '17 at 18:33

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 06 '11 at 19:13

Both statements are equal. Linq queries formulated with linq syntax are translated into the appropriate method calls.

Select what fits you best in terms of readability and/or makes your code more understandable. If you get really complex queries, using select many and grouping the linq syntax is much better to read.

I switch between both forms of linq queries depending on the situation.

LINQ query expression versus fluent (dot) notation

2 Answers2