C# Academy · Lesson

Query vs method syntax

Write the same LINQ with query or method syntax; see compiler translation and when to choose each style.

Query vs method syntax is a free C# Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C# Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Two syntaxes

Two faces of LINQ:

Method syntax: xs.Where(...).Select(...)
Query syntax: from x in xs where ... select ...
They are equivalent for most operators.

Method syntax

Method syntax chains extension methods like Where and Select.

using System;
using System.Linq;

public class Program
{
  public static void Main(string[] args)
  {
    string[] words = new string[] { "dog", "tiger", "ant", "eagle" };

    var result = words
      .Where(w => w.Length >= 4)
      .Select(w => w.ToUpper());

    foreach (string w in result) Console.WriteLine(w);
  }
}

Query syntax

Query syntax reads like SQL: from, where, select. The compiler turns it into method calls.

using System;
using System.Linq;

public class Program
{
  public static void Main(string[] args)
  {
    string[] words = new string[] { "dog", "tiger", "ant", "eagle" };

    var query =
      from w in words
      where w.Length >= 4
      select w.ToUpper();

    foreach (string w in query) Console.WriteLine(w);
  }
}

Ordering both ways

Both styles support filtering, ordering, and selecting. They produce the same results.

using System;
using System.Linq;

public sealed class City
{
  public string Name;
  public int Pop;
  public City(string name, int pop) { Name = name; Pop = pop; }
}

public class Program
{
  public static void Main(string[] args)
  {
    City[] cities = new City[]
    {
      new City("Rome", 2873000),
      new City("Oslo", 634000),
      new City("Riga", 605000),
      new City("Rio", 6748000)
    };

    // Method
    var m = cities
      .Where(c => c.Pop >= 700000)
      .OrderBy(c => c.Name)
      .Select(c => c.Name);

    // Query
    var q =
      from c in cities
      where c.Pop >= 700000
      orderby c.Name ascending
      select c.Name;

    foreach (string name in m) Console.WriteLine(name);
    Console.WriteLine("---");
    foreach (string name in q) Console.WriteLine(name);
  }
}

Mixing styles

Not every operator has a query keyword. It is common to mix styles: write a query then call Count, Skip, Take, or ThenBy.

using System;
using System.Linq;

public class Program
{
  public static void Main(string[] args)
  {
    int[] data = new int[] { 5, 3, 9, 1, 7, 2, 8 };

    // Query + method mix: query part, then Count() method
    var q =
      from n in data
      where n > 3
      select n;

    int howMany = q.Count(); // no query keyword for Count
    Console.WriteLine("Count >3 = " + howMany);

    // Paging usually uses method syntax
    var page = data.OrderBy(n => n).Skip(2).Take(3);
    foreach (int x in page) Console.WriteLine(x);
  }
}

When to use which

Guidelines:

Use method syntax for short chains and when operators lack query keywords.
Use query syntax when it reads better for multi-step filtering/ordering.
Mix if needed; they are equivalent.

Query vs method truth

Quick check: What is true about LINQ query syntax compared to method syntax?

Recap

Recap: Query and method syntax are two views of the same LINQ. Pick the style that reads best and mix when operators lack query keywords.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Query vs method syntax” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Query vs method syntax” is free to read here on the web, and the C# Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the C# Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Query vs method syntax”?

Write the same LINQ with query or method syntax; see compiler translation and when to choose each style. You practise C# Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start C# Academy?

No prior experience is required. C# Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Query vs method syntax” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this C# Academy lesson?

Yes. Every C# Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

IEnumerable pipelines; deferred execution
Select, Where, OrderBy, Take/Skip
Query vs method syntax

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