30 LINQ Interview Questions with
Answers and Explanations
1. What is LINQ?
LINQ (Language Integrated Query) allows querying collections (arrays, lists, databases,
XML) in C#. It brings SQL-like querying to C# for better readability and maintainability.
2. What are the types of LINQ?
LINQ to Objects, LINQ to SQL, LINQ to Entities (EF), LINQ to XML, LINQ to DataSet. Different
LINQ providers target different data sources.
3. Difference between LINQ and SQL?
SQL works directly on a database; LINQ is integrated into C# and works on multiple data
sources. LINQ is checked at compile-time, SQL runs as text at runtime.
4. What are the two LINQ syntaxes?
Query syntax (SQL-like: from ... where ... select ...) and Method syntax (chain methods
like .Where(), .Select()).
5. Explain deferred execution in LINQ.
LINQ queries do not run immediately; they run when iterated (e.g., foreach). This saves
resources.
6. What is immediate execution in LINQ?
Some methods like .ToList(), .Count() execute immediately and store results. Useful to cache
data.
7. What is anonymous type in LINQ?
New unnamed objects can be created in select: select new { Name, Age }. Useful to project
only needed fields.
8. Explain Select vs SelectMany.
Select projects each element; SelectMany flattens nested collections.
9. What is the Where clause in LINQ?
Filters elements based on a condition, equivalent to WHERE in SQL.
10. What is OrderBy and OrderByDescending?
OrderBy sorts ascending; OrderByDescending sorts descending.
11. Explain GroupBy in LINQ.
Groups elements by a key, like GROUP BY in SQL.
12. How does Join work in LINQ?
Combines elements from two collections based on a common key, like SQL INNER JOIN.
13. What is Distinct in LINQ?
Removes duplicate elements from a sequence.
14. What is Any() and All()?
Any() checks if any element matches; All() checks if all elements match a condition.
15. What is First() vs FirstOrDefault()?
First() returns the first matching element, throws if none. FirstOrDefault() returns first or
default (null for ref types).
16. Difference between Single() and First()?
Single() expects exactly one element, throws if none or multiple. First() returns first match,
even if multiple exist.
17. What does Aggregate() do?
Performs custom aggregation like reduce.
18. What does Skip() and Take() do?
Skip(n) skips first n elements; Take(n) takes first n elements. Useful for pagination.
19. What is ToLookup()?
Creates a lookup (like dictionary of groups).
20. Explain Except(), Union(), Intersect().
Except: A not in B. Union: A + B, no duplicates. Intersect: common elements.
21. What is OfType<T>()?
Filters elements by type.
22. How to do left join in LINQ?
Use GroupJoin and DefaultIfEmpty(). No direct left join.
23. Write LINQ to get top 5 highest salaries.
OrderByDescending and Take(5).
24. How to write nested query in LINQ?
Nest from clauses or use Select inside Select.
25. What is let keyword in LINQ?
Stores intermediate results in a query.
26. Explain Into in LINQ.
Creates a continuation of a query after grouping or projection.
27. How to debug LINQ queries?
Use ToList() to force execution and inspect results.
28. How to write case-insensitive LINQ query?
Use ToLower() or StringComparison.
29. What is AsEnumerable()?
Switches to LINQ to Objects to run local evaluation.
30. What are disadvantages of LINQ?
May generate inefficient SQL, hard to debug complex queries, not all database optimizations
available.
