Can you sort Typed DataSet DataTables with Linq OrderBy?

Question

I have a Typed DataSet DataTable which inherits TypedTableBase, which in turn implements IEnumerable. I can\'t seem to get this to wo

Answer 1

Linq extension methods do not alter the source enumerable.

var numbers = new int[]{1,2,3};
var reversed = numbers.OrderByDescending(x=>x);
foreach(var number in reversed)
  Console.Write(number); // 321
foreach(var number in numbers)
  Console.Write(number); // 123

If you want to sort a DataTable, you should be using DataViews. You create a view on your DataTable, then apply a Sort or Filter to it, then bind against it. Keep in mind DataSets are an older technology and not quite up to date on the latest and the greatest. A "newer" approach would be to use the Entity Framework.

Answer 2

In order to do what you want, you must add the following reference to your project:

System.Data.DataSetExtensions

Once you have that added, you can order your DataTable like this:

var query = myDataTable.OrderBy(x => x.ID).ThenBy(y => y.ID2);

// use the DataView generated from the LINQ query
DataView dtv = query.AsDataView();  

In order to iterate through the DataView, you can do the following:

var dtv = query.AsDataView();
foreach(DataRowView rw in dtv)
{
    // you can also cast back to the typed data...
    MyCustomRowType typedRow = (MyCustomRowType) rw.Row;

    // do something here...
}

Alternatively you can typecast via LINQ this way:

var dtv = query.AsDataView().Cast<MyCustomRowType>();

// rowItem is of type MyCustomRowType...
foreach(var rowItem in dtv)
{
    // do something here...
}