BlazarTech.QueryableValues.SqlServer 5.4.0

QueryableValues

This library allows you to efficiently compose an IEnumerable<T> in your Entity Framework Core queries when using the SQL Server Database Provider. This is accomplished by using the AsQueryableValues extension method available on the DbContext class. Everything is evaluated on the server with a single round trip, in a way that preserves the query's execution plan, even when the values behind the IEnumerable<T> are changed on subsequent executions.

The supported types for T are:

• Simple Type: Byte, Int16, Int32, Int64, Decimal, Single, Double, DateTime, DateTimeOffset, Guid, Char, and String.
• Complex Type:
  • Can be an anonymous type.
  • Can be a user-defined class or struct with read/write properties and a public constructor.
  • Must have one or more simple type properties, including Boolean.

For a detailed explanation of the problem solved by QueryableValues, please continue reading here.

When Should You Use It?

The AsQueryableValues extension method is intended for queries that are dependent upon a non-constant sequence of external values. In such cases, the underlying SQL query will be efficient on subsequent executions.

It provides a solution to the following long standing EF Core issue and enables other currently unsupported scenarios; like the ability to efficiently create joins with in-memory data.

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Getting Started

Installation

QueryableValues is distributed as a NuGet Package. The major version number of this library is aligned with the version of Entity Framework Core by which it's supported (e.g. If you are using EF Core 5, then you must use version 5 of QueryableValues).

Please choose the appropriate command below to install it using the NuGet Package Manager Console window in Visual Studio:

Configuration

Look for the place in your code where you are setting up your DbContext and calling the UseSqlServer extension method, then use a lambda expression to access the SqlServerDbContextOptionsBuilder provided by it. It is on this builder that you must call the UseQueryableValues extension method as shown in the following simplified examples:

When using the OnConfiguring method inside your DbContext:

using BlazarTech.QueryableValues;

public class MyDbContext : DbContext
{
    protected override void OnConfiguring(DbContextOptionsBuilder optionsBuilder)
    {
        optionsBuilder.UseSqlServer(
            "MyConnectionString",
            sqlServerOptionsBuilder =>
            {
                sqlServerOptionsBuilder.UseQueryableValues();
            }
        );
    }
}

When setting up the DbContext at registration time using dependency injection:

using BlazarTech.QueryableValues;

public class Startup
{
    public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
    {
        services.AddDbContext<MyDbContext>(optionsBuilder => {
            optionsBuilder.UseSqlServer(
                "MyConnectionString",
                sqlServerOptionsBuilder =>
                {
                    sqlServerOptionsBuilder.UseQueryableValues();
                }
            );
        });
    }
}

How Do You Use It?

The AsQueryableValues extension method is provided by the BlazarTech.QueryableValues namespace; therefore, you must add the following using directive to your source code file for it to appear as a method of your DbContext instance:

using BlazarTech.QueryableValues;

Below are a few examples composing a query using the values provided by an IEnumerable<T>.

Simple Type Examples

Using the Contains LINQ method:

// Sample values.
IEnumerable<int> values = Enumerable.Range(1, 10);

// Example #1 (LINQ method syntax)
var myQuery1 = dbContext.MyEntities
    .Where(i => dbContext
        .AsQueryableValues(values)
        .Contains(i.MyEntityID)
    )
    .Select(i => new
    {
        i.MyEntityID,
        i.PropA
    });

// Example #2 (LINQ query syntax)
var myQuery2 = 
    from i in dbContext.MyEntities
    where dbContext
        .AsQueryableValues(values)
        .Contains(i.MyEntityID)
    select new
    {
        i.MyEntityID,
        i.PropA
    };

Using the Join LINQ method:

// Sample values.
IEnumerable<int> values = Enumerable.Range(1, 10);

// Example #1 (LINQ method syntax)
var myQuery1 = dbContext.MyEntities
    .Join(
        dbContext.AsQueryableValues(values),
        i => i.MyEntityID,
        v => v,
        (i, v) => new
        {
            i.MyEntityID,
            i.PropA
        }
    );

// Example #2 (LINQ query syntax)
var myQuery2 = 
    from i in dbContext.MyEntities
    join v in dbContext.AsQueryableValues(values) on i.MyEntityID equals v 
    select new
    {
        i.MyEntityID,
        i.PropA
    };

Complex Type Example

// Performance Tip:
// If your IEnumerable<T> item type (T) has many properties, project only 
// the ones you need to a new variable and use it in your query.
var projectedItems = items.Select(i => new { i.CategoryId, i.ColorName });

var myQuery = 
    from p in dbContext.Product
    join pi in dbContext.AsQueryableValues(projectedItems) on new { p.CategoryId, p.ColorName } equals new { pi.CategoryId, pi.ColorName }
    select new
    {
        p.ProductId,
        p.Description
    };

About Complex Types

⚠️ All the data provided by this type is transmitted to the server; therefore, ensure that it only contains the properties you need for your query. Not following this recommendation will degrade the query's performance.

⚠️ There is a limit of up to 10 properties for any given simple type (e.g. cannot have more than 10 Int32 properties). Exceeding that limit will cause an exception and may also suggest that you should rethink your strategy.

Do You Want To Know More? 📚

Please take a look at the repository.