LINQlone is a re-implementation of LINQ to Objects for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 providing all the standard query operators of Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. With C# 2.0+ LINQlone also activates extension methods and lambda expressions. The aim of this open source project is not to replace or improve Microsoft LINQ, but is to provide the same functionality and behavior for projects targeting .NET Framework 2.0.

LINQlone is a single dll file containing standard LINQ namespace, method names and signatures. Thus, LINQlone can be easily removed from the project. The project can easily be upgraded to .NET Framework 3.5. Upgrade only requires LINQlone reference to be removed. Without any code edits, all the query operators will be bound to Microsoft LINQ.

Namespaces contained within LINQlone.dll

using System; //Func and Action delegates
using System.Linq; //Standard query operators
using System.Runtime.CompilerServices; //ExtensionAttribute providing extension method usage

C# 2.0

IEnumerable<string> names = Enumerable.Select(customers, delegate(Customer x) { return x.Name; });

C# 2.0+

//Fluent Syntax
IEnumerable<string> names = customers.Select(x => x.Name);

//Query Syntax
IEnumerable<string> names = from customer in customers select customer.Name;

VB 9.0

Dim names As IEnumerable(Of String) = Enumerable.Select(customers, Function(x) x.Name)

VB 9.0+

'Fluent Syntax
Dim names As IEnumerable(Of String) = customers.Select(Function(x) x.Name)

'Query Syntax
Dim names As IEnumerable(Of String) = From customer As Customer In customers Select customer.Name

LINQlone does not include samples. LINQlone.Test project can be an example of LINQ query operator usage. For more samples, check the samples below:

• MSDN LINQ101 (Query Syntax)
• Nilzor's LINQ101 (Fluent Syntax)

In order to be able to use query syntax, C# 2.0+ or VB 9.0+ is required. Using Visual Studio 2008 or above, extension methods and standard delegates defined in LINQlone assembly will be enabled.

Replacing LINQlone with Microsoft LINQ can be easily done removing LINQlone reference (LINQlone.dll) from the project. Since all the namespace, method names and signatures match no code edit is required. All query operators will be binded to Microsoft LINQ.

With some slight difference, it will function as Microsoft LINQ does. All summaries, namespace, method names and signatures, functionality, behavior and exceptions match.

Although all summaries, exception types and properties are supported, LINQlone does not support localized exception messages. Exception messages are in English only