what is linq, linq to sql and entity framework?

These brief notes may help you to differentiate them:

(a) LINQ, which is short for 'language integrated query', is a C#/VB language feature which, in combination with certain classes in the .NET framework, enables us to write type-safe queries over local collections and remote data sources.

It includes amongst other technologies : LINQ to Objects, LINQ to XML, LINQ to SQL and the Entity Framework.

(b) LINQ to SQL, which only works with SQL Server, uses an object relational mapping between .NET classes and database tables. Queries are based on LINQ rather than native SQL (under the hood the former are translated to the latter).

(c) Entity framework (EF) also uses an object relational mapping but instead of querying classes which represent database tables you query a higher level abstraction known as the 'entity data model'. There's also a provider model which enables you to use other databases than Sql Server.

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Vulpes12y ago
These brief notes may help you to differentiate them:

(a) LINQ, which is short for 'language integrated query', is a C#/VB language feature which, in combination with certain classes in the .NET framework, enables us to write type-safe queries over local collections and remote data sources.

It includes amongst other technologies : LINQ to Objects, LINQ to XML, LINQ to SQL and the Entity Framework.

(b) LINQ to SQL, which only works with SQL Server, uses an object relational mapping between .NET classes and database tables. Queries are based on LINQ rather than native SQL (under the hood the former are translated to the latter).

(c) Entity framework (EF) also uses an object relational mapping but instead of querying classes which represent database tables you query a higher level abstraction known as the 'entity data model'. There's also a provider model which enables you to use other databases than Sql Server.