MICROSOFT LINQ USING VISUAL BASIC.NET 2008

In this course, you値l learn to use the exciting new .NET Framework 3.5 feature, Language Integrated Query (LINQ) to easily create complex data-independent queries. In addition, you値l learn about the new language features added to VB.NET in Visual Studio 2008 in order to make LINQ possible. You値l start by working through a quick overview of LINQ, and how it applies to working with collections of objects, retrieving data stored in SQL Server, and creating XML content. Subsequent topics introduce new LINQ-oriented language features, LINQ to Objects, LINQ to DataSets, LINQ to SQL, LINQ to XML, and LINQ to Entities. By the time you致e completed the course, you値l have a good understanding of now only how to construct LINQ queries to work with data, but also how to use the features added to Visual Basic that support LINQ.

A good working knowledge of .NET in general and more specifically, with programming ADO.NET. Please note that this course does not cover the fundamentals of Visual Studio 2008 or .NET Framework.

.NET programmers interested in learning the fundamentals of LINQ.

Language Integrated Query
Data Access, Historically
LINQ to the Rescue
LINQ Providers
Structure of a LINQ Query
The Three Stages of a LINQ Query
Returning Multiple Values
Deferred Execution

LINQ and Languages
Implicitly Typed Local Variables and Object Initializers
Implicit Type Declarations
Object Initializers
Lambda Expressions, Extension Methods, and Anonymous Types
Lambda Expressions
Extension Methods
Anonymous Types

Using LINQ with In-Memory Collections
What Can You Query?
Arrays
Generic Lists
Generic Dictionaries
Strings
Other Collections (Non-Generic Collections)
LINQ Operators and Extension Methods
Working with Data
Creating Sequences
Selecting Sequences
Retrieving a Single Element
Filtering Sequences
Ordering Sequences
Verifying Sequences
Converting Sequences
Positioning within Sequences
Calculating Sequences
Set Operations

LINQ and Relational Data
Creating an Object Model
The DataContext Class
Entity Classes
Associations Between Entities
Querying Data
Simple Queries
Scalar Functions
Aggregate Functions
Querying Related Tables
Lambda Expressions
Extension Methods
Grouping
Joins
Modifying Data
Using Stored Procedures
Configuring the Update Behavior of Entity Classes
LINQ to SQL vs. DataSets

LINQ to SQL Advanced Features
Deferred Loading
Read-Only Queries
Compiled Queries
Direct Execution of Queries
Transactions
Cascading Deletes
Tracking Changes
Creating and Deleting Databases
Validating Data
Using LINQ to SQL in a Windows Applications
Exploring the Data Layer
Exploring the User Interface
Using LINQ to SQL in a Web Application
Working with Customers
Working with Orders
Working with Products

Review of DataSets
Retrieving and Modifying Data
Querying Data with LINQ to DataSet
Querying Data in Tables
Querying Tables in Untyped DataSets
Querying Tables in Typed DataSets
LINQ to DataSet and DataViews
Binding to Data
Convert Query Results to a List
Copy Query Results to a DataTable
Create a DataView from Query Results

Creating and Manipulating XML Content
Creating XML Content
Traversing XML
Updating XML Content
Verifying XML Content Using a Schema
Using LINQ to Query XML Content
Simple LINQ Queries
Anonymous Types in LINQ to XML
Using Extension Methods with LINQ to XML
LINQ to XML and Lambda Expressions
Transforming XML Using LINQ
Creating New Output
Filling in the Details
Using Visual Basic痴 Replacement Tokens

Overview of the Entity Framework
Creating an Entity Data Model
The ObjectContext Class
Entity Classes
Associations Between Entities
Querying Data
Simple Queries
Scalar Functions
Aggregate Functions
Querying Related Tables
Lambda Expressions
Grouping
Joins
Differences Between LINQ to Entities and LINQ to SQL
Modifying Data
Using Stored Procedures
Configuring the Update Behavior of Entity Classes