Entity Framework: Using an entity to get a specific result set?

Is there anyway to get a specific result set from an entity object? For example, I've got an entity called datUsers. I know I can do this: foreach(var user in datUsers) ... To loop over ALL the records. What if I only want records where active=true? I suspect I could use LINQ, however, if I do that, won't it pull down the entire result set then filter in the web-server's ram instead of using the DB server to do the filtering? Thanks Ryan

Re: Entity Framework: Using an entity to get a specific result set?

If you already populated the entity anything you do is going to get filtered in memory.

You could do

foreach (var user in datUsers.Where(s => s.Active == true))
{
//stuff happens.
}

Re: Entity Framework: Using an entity to get a specific result set?

As a side note, using LINQ does indeed filter the results at the DB level.

For example:

var query = from c in context.Customers where c.customerName == "Roger";

Produces a SQL statement with the where clause stating "where customername = 'Roger'" instead of pulling it all from the DB then doing in-memory filtering.

Re: Entity Framework: Using an entity to get a specific result set?

I agree with scott.

Re: Entity Framework: Using an entity to get a specific result set?

Maybe you need to look up deferred execution.

If you have already populated the entity. It's not filtered at DB level.

http://blogs.msdn.com/charlie/archive/2007/12/09/deferred-execution.aspx