How do you write and run C# scripts and interactive tutorials with LINQPad?

1 Installing and setting up LINQPad

To get started with LINQPad, you need to download and install the latest version from the official website. LINQPad is free to use, but you can also purchase a license to unlock more features and support the developers. Once you install LINQPad, you can launch it from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut. You will see a simple user interface with a toolbar, a query editor, and a results pane. You can also customize the appearance and behavior of LINQPad from the Edit menu.

2 Writing and executing queries

To write a C# script or query in LINQPad, you need to create a new query from the File menu or the toolbar. You can choose the language and the query type from the drop-down lists. For example, you can select C# Expression, C# Statements, or C# Program. You can also select the data context for your query, such as LINQ to SQL, LINQ to XML, or LINQ to Objects. You can then write your code in the query editor, using the IntelliSense and code snippets features to help you. To run your query, you can press F5 or click the Execute button. You will see the output of your query in the results pane, which can display text, tables, charts, or visualizers.

3 Creating and sharing tutorials

One of the coolest features of LINQPad is that you can create and share interactive tutorials with other users. A tutorial is a special type of query that contains markdown text and code snippets that the user can edit and run. You can create a tutorial from the File menu or the toolbar, by selecting New Tutorial. You can then write your tutorial in the query editor, using the # for headings, * for bullets, and ` for code blocks. You can also use the <div class="runnable"> tag to mark the code snippets that the user can run. To test your tutorial, you can press F5 or click the Execute button. You will see the tutorial in the results pane, with the text and code formatted and interactive. To share your tutorial, you can save it as a .linq file and upload it to the official website or any other platform.

4 Exploring samples and resources

If you want to learn more about LINQPad and C#, you can explore the samples and resources that are available in the tool. You can access the samples from the File menu or the toolbar, by selecting Open Samples. You will see a list of categories and topics that cover various aspects of C#, LINQ, and other technologies. You can open any sample and run it in LINQPad, or modify it to suit your needs. You can also access the resources from the Help menu or the toolbar, by selecting Open Resources. You will see a list of links to online documentation, videos, blogs, forums, and books that can help you improve your skills and knowledge.

5 Troubleshooting and tips

If you encounter any problems or errors while using LINQPad, you can try some of the following troubleshooting and tips. First, you can check the status bar at the bottom of the window, which shows the query execution time, memory usage, and error messages. You can also check the log file from the Edit menu or the toolbar, by selecting View Log File. Second, you can use the debugger and the breakpoints features to debug your code and find the source of the errors. You can set breakpoints by clicking on the margin of the query editor, and use the Debug menu or the toolbar to start, stop, step, and watch your code. Third, you can use the preferences and options features to change the settings and preferences of LINQPad, such as the default language, query type, data context, font size, color scheme, and auto-save mode. You can access these features from the Edit menu or the toolbar, by selecting Preferences or Options.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?