C# LINQ Where
last modified February 1, 2024
In this article we show how to filter sequences in C# using LINQ's Where method and where clause.
Language-Integrated Query (LINQ) is a domain-specific language for querying data from various data sources, including arrays, lists, XML files, or databases.
The where clause or the Where method filters a
sequence of values based on a predicate. A predicate is a
single-argument function which returns a boolean value.
This method is lazily evaluated. The query is not executed until the object is enumerated.
C# LINQ Where simple example
The first example is a simple program which uses LINQ Select.
List<int> vals = [-3, -1, 0, 3, 2, 1, -6, 5, 9];
var res = vals.Where(e => e > 0);
Console.WriteLine(string.Join(',', res));
The program defines a list of integers. We filter out all positive values.
var res = vals.Where(e => e > 0);
The Where method applies the given predicate function on each of
the elements. It returns a sequence of values that satisfy the given condition.
In our case the condition is that the value is greater than zero.
$ dotnet run 3,2,1,5,9
C# LINQ Where with Func predicate
Func is a built-in generic delegate type. It can be used with a
method, an anonymous method or a lambda expression.
Func<int, bool> isNeg = e => e < 0;
List<int> vals = [-3, -1, 0, 3, 2, 1, -6, 5, 9];
var res = vals.Where(isNeg);
Console.WriteLine(string.Join(',', res));
The program applies the Func delegate on the elements of the list.
We filter all negative values.
$ dotnet run -3,-1,-6
C# LINQ where clause
Query expressions are an alternative LINQ syntax. In a query expression, we use
the where clause to filter data.
List<string> words = [ "sky", "forest", "war", "buy",
"crypto", "cup", "water", "cloud" ];
var res = from word in words
where word.StartsWith('c')
select word;
Console.WriteLine(string.Join(',', res));
In the program, we filter all words that begin with letter 'c'.
$ dotnet run crypto,cup,cloud
C# LINQ Where with multiple conditions
We can combine multiple conditions with and/or operators.
List<User> users =
[
new ("John", "Doe", 1230),
new ("Lucy", "Novak", 670),
new ("Ben", "Walter", 2050),
new ("Robin", "Brown", 2300),
new ("Amy", "Doe", 1250),
new ("Joe", "Draker", 1190),
new ("Janet", "Doe", 980),
new ("Albert", "Novak", 1930),
];
var res = users.Where(u => (u.LastName.StartsWith('D') ||
u.LastName.StartsWith('W')) && u.Salary > 1000);
foreach (var e in res)
{
Console.WriteLine(e);
}
record User(string FirstName, string LastName, int Salary);
In the example, we apply three conditions to our filtering. We choose only those users whose names begin with either 'D' or 'W' and whose salaries are higher than 1000.
$ dotnet run
User { FirstName = John, LastName = Doe, Salary = 1230 }
User { FirstName = Ben, LastName = Walter, Salary = 2050 }
User { FirstName = Amy, LastName = Doe, Salary = 1250 }
User { FirstName = Joe, LastName = Draker, Salary = 1190 }
Source
In this article we have presented the LINQ Where operation.
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