As with all programming tasks, there are many different ways to create a program that solves the problem. The trick is, as ever, to write the program, get it working, and then optimise it. It may be that after you have your program up and running (and profiled), you’ll discover that there are some places that you’ve used LINQ which would be better off using stored procedures running within your database or vice versa or using LINQ to access stored procedures. The trouble is that whether LINQ is the best approach for your applications is something that you’ll find out only after you’ve worked with it for a while. What is sure though is that the advantages of using LINQ are so tremendous that it cries out for a code now, optimise later approach.

There's now a large grin on my face.Visual Studio Orcas Beta 1 is now available for download from here.

That's the Express Editions as individual downloads and Team Suite as a VPC. ISOs for VS Pro, Team Suite and TFS are MSDN Subscription only however.

Charlie Calvert also points out that all the LINQ samples for beta 1 are available here too.

So much for my weekend then.

I am a LINQ Guinea Pig like Julie and am looking forward to try the Orcas Feb CTP which Scott wowed us with at WebDD which was great and I took photos at. Mark Seemann wonders how LINQ will affect DB ‘best’ practices meanwhile - worth reading.