7. What is PLINQ?
PLINQ stands for Parallel Language Integrated Query. It is the parallel implementation of LINQ, in which a query can be executed by using multiple processors. PLINQ ensures the scalability of software on parallel processors in the execution environment. It is used where data grows rapidly, such as in telecom industry or where data is heterogeneous.
PLINQ also supports all the operators of LINQ. In addition, you can query ‘collections by using PLINQ. It can also run several LINQ queries simultaneously and makes use of the processors on the system. Apart from this, PLINQ uses parallel execution, which helps in running the queries quickly. Parallel execution provides a major performance improvement to PLINQ over certain types of legacy code, which takes too much time to execute.
8. What are the different Visual Basic features that support LINQ?
Visual Basic includes the following features that support LINQ:
Anonymous types – Enables you to create a new type based on a query result.
Implicitly typed variables – Enables the compiler to infer and assign a type when you declare and initialize a variable.
Extension method – Enables you to extend an existing type with your own methods without modifying the type itself.
9. What is the function of the DISTINCT clause in a LINQ query?
The DISTINCT clause returns the result set without the duplicate values.
10. What is the DataContext class and how is it related to LINQ?
After you add a LINQ to SQL Classes item to a project and open the O/R Designer, the empty design surface represents an empty DataContext class ready to be configured. The DataContext class is a LINQ to SQL class that acts as a conduit between a SQL Server database and the LINQ to SQL entity classes mapped to that database. This class contains the connection string information and the methods for connecting to a database and manipulating the data in the database. It is configured with connection information provided by the first item that is dragged onto the design surface.
11. What is the difference between the Take and Skip clauses?
The Take clause returns a specified number of elements. For example, you can use the Take clause to return two values from an array of numbers. The Skip clause skips the specified number of elements in the query and returns the rest. For example, you can use the Skip clause to skip the first four strings in an array of strings and return the remaining array of string.
12. What is Object Relational Designer (0/R Designer)?
The 0/R Designer provides a visual design surface to create LINQ to SQL entity classes and associations (relationships) that are based on objects in a database.
