Add another weapon to your Kodefu arsenal. Jospeh Albahari has released LINQPad, the easy way to LINQ!
Can't wait for C# 3.0 and LINQ? Well you don't have to! Dynamically query SQL databases today in LINQ: no more struggling with antiquated SQL. Download LINQPad and kiss goodbye to SQL Management Studio: LINQPad supports LINQ to objects, LINQ to SQL and LINQ to XML—in fact, everything in C# 3.0 and .NET Framework 3.5. LINQPad is also a terrific learning tool for experimenting with this exciting new technology.
It does require an installation of .NET 3.5 beta 2, but at least you don't have to install the full Visual Studio 2008 to start using LINQ. If you really want to build your chops, Joseph's issued the LINQPad Challenge.
If you think that you understand LINQ—or would like to—then I invite you to take the LINQPad challenge. The rules are simple:
- Locate the shortcut for SQL Management Studio on your Start Menu and move it some place else.
- In its place, insert a shortcut to LINQPad.
- For the next week, perform all your ad-hoc SQL queries using only LINQPad.
At the end of the week, you will actually think in LINQ, rather than thinking in SQL and translating to LINQ. (LINQPad also allows old-fashioned SQL queries for tasks are genuinely impossible or clumsy in LINQ. You'll feel an unpleasant sense of failure, though, should you cheat and use this feature frivolously :)
This is a great way to stay ahead of the curve. Begin your training today!