LEFT OUTER JOIN in LINQ

Question

How to perform left outer join in C# LINQ to objects without using join-on-equals-into clauses? Is there any way to do that with where clause? Corr

Answer 1

Easy way is to use Let keyword. This works for me.

from AItem in Db.A
Let BItem = Db.B.Where(x => x.id == AItem.id ).FirstOrDefault() 
Where SomeCondition
Select new YourViewModel
{
    X1 = AItem.a,
    X2 = AItem.b,
    X3 = BItem.c
}

This is a simulation of Left Join. If each item in B table not match to A item , BItem return null

Answer 2

Here's an example if you need to join more than 2 tables:

from d in context.dc_tpatient_bookingd
join bookingm in context.dc_tpatient_bookingm 
     on d.bookingid equals bookingm.bookingid into bookingmGroup
from m in bookingmGroup.DefaultIfEmpty()
join patient in dc_tpatient
     on m.prid equals patient.prid into patientGroup
from p in patientGroup.DefaultIfEmpty()

Ref: https://stackoverflow.com/a/17142392/2343

Answer 3

Here is a fairly easy to understand version using method syntax:

IEnumerable<JoinPair> outerLeft =
    lefts.SelectMany(l => 
        rights.Where(r => l.Key == r.Key)
              .DefaultIfEmpty(new Item())
              .Select(r => new JoinPair { LeftId = l.Id, RightId = r.Id }));

Answer 4

Take a look at this example. This query should work:

var leftFinal = from left in lefts
                join right in rights on left equals right.Left into leftRights
                from leftRight in leftRights.DefaultIfEmpty()
                select new { LeftId = left.Id, RightId = left.Key==leftRight.Key ? leftRight.Id : 0 };

Answer 5

As stated on:

101 LINQ Samples - Left outer join

var q =
    from c in categories
    join p in products on c.Category equals p.Category into ps
    from p in ps.DefaultIfEmpty()
    select new { Category = c, ProductName = p == null ? "(No products)" : p.ProductName };

Answer 6

Using lambda expression

db.Categories    
  .GroupJoin(db.Products,
      Category => Category.CategoryId,
      Product => Product.CategoryId,
      (x, y) => new { Category = x, Products = y })
  .SelectMany(
      xy => xy.Products.DefaultIfEmpty(),
      (x, y) => new { Category = x.Category, Product = y })
  .Select(s => new
  {
      CategoryName = s.Category.Name,     
      ProductName = s.Product.Name   
  });