Distinct in linq?

Question

I am wondering how can I achieve this?

I want to get only distinct names from a collection of objects

MyObject a = new Object();
a.Name = 'One';
a.Value = '10';


MyObject b = new Object();
b.Name = 'One';
b.Value = '15';


MyObject c = new Object();
c.Name = 'Two';
c.Value = '10';

So I want to get only back the name. I don't care about the value in this case just the name.

So I tried

//add all the objects to a collection.

myCollection.Disinct()..Select(x => new MyClassToStore() {Text = x.Name, Value = x.Name}).ToList());

However I need to do distinct at the property level not at the object level. So I want back "One" and "Two". Right now I get "One", "One" and "Two" back.

I see a library called morelinq but I not sure if I should use it as it still in beta and does not seem to be developed on anymore.

Plus a whole library for one extract query I am not sure if it is worth it.

Related: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/489258/linq-distinct-on-a-particular-property — Cameron, Apr 09 '11 at 21:57

score 23 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 09 '11 at 21:50

23

Maybe something like this can help?

var distinctItems = items
     .GroupBy(x => x.PropertyToCompare)
     .Select(x => x.First());

answered Apr 09 '11 at 21:50

Marino Šimić

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how could I get stick it into MyClassToStore – chobo2 Apr 09 '11 at 21:52
var distinctitems = myCollection.GroupBy(x => x.Name).Select(x => x.First()).Select(new MyClassToStore() {Text = x.Name, Value = x.Name}) i suppose, altough i did not get exactly what you need. because using the same property (name) twice is a bit awkward... I think that you should listen to Cameron if you need just names... – Marino Šimić Apr 09 '11 at 22:02

score 15 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 09 '11 at 22:01

15

This populates both the Text and Value fields:

   myCollection.Select(x => x.Name).Distinct()
      .Select(x => new MyClassToStore { Text = x, Value = x }).ToList();

answered Apr 09 '11 at 22:01

PHeiberg

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score 6 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 09 '11 at 21:52

6

If you just want back distinct names, you can use:

myCollection.Select(x => x.Name).Distinct().ToList();

answered Apr 09 '11 at 21:52

Cameron

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score 3 · Answer 4 · edited Aug 08 '14 at 18:53

You can implement your class so the linq distinct operator does not use the default equality comparer.

class YourClass:IEquatable<YourClass> 
{

... Your implementation details. ...

    public bool Equals(YourClass other)
    {
        if (Object.Equals(this, other))
        {
            return true;
        }
        else
        {
            if(Name == other.Name && Value == other.Value)
            {
                return true;
            }
            else
            {
                return false;
            }
        }
    }

 public override int GetHashCode()
 {
     return Name.GetHashCode() ^ Value.GetHashCode();
 }

}

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 10 '11 at 01:06

2

Personally I suggest you override operator == and != and determine how and why an object is unique there. Then use the Distinct() call on the collection.

You do have to be careful with null values, see Microsoft's Guidelines for Overloading Equals() and Operator == (C# Programming Guide).

answered Apr 10 '11 at 01:06

Chuck Savage

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To be clear, do not override the `==` or `!=` operator in any sort of global context. What's suggested here is to override the `Equals` and `==` operator your class inherits from `object` – Andy_Vulhop Jan 29 '14 at 17:17

Distinct in linq?

5 Answers5

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