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Dynamic LINQ with Gridify in .NET

Introduction

In modern .NET applications, handling complex queries and data filtering dynamically can be challenging. Writing dynamic LINQ queries is a powerful way to query data efficiently without hardcoding every possible filter or condition. However, crafting these dynamic queries can be cumbersome and error-prone. Enter Gridify—a lightweight library that simplifies building dynamic LINQ queries. In this article, we'll explore using dynamic LINQ with Gridify to streamline querying. NET.

What is Dynamic LINQ?

Dynamic LINQ allows you to construct LINQ queries at runtime. Instead of relying on compile-time query structures, you can build queries based on user input, configuration files, or other dynamic sources. This flexibility is essential for applications where the filtering criteria are not known until runtime, such as in search functionalities or reporting systems.

Why Use Gridify?

Gridify extends the power of dynamic LINQ by providing a simple yet powerful way to filter, sort, and paginate data. It abstracts much of the complexity involved in creating dynamic queries, making your code cleaner and more maintainable. With Gridify, you can quickly convert a query string into a LINQ expression without writing cumbersome code.

Getting Started with Gridify
 

1. Installation

First, you'll need to install the Gridify NuGet package. You can do this via the NuGet Package Manager or by running the following command in the Package Manager Console.

Install-Package Gridify

2. Basic Setup

Let's say you have a collection of Product objects and want to allow dynamic filtering based on properties like Name, Price, or Category.

Here's a basic Product class.

public class Product
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public decimal Price { get; set; }
    public string Category { get; set; }
}

With Gridify, you can easily apply filters based on query strings.

using Gridify;

var products = GetProducts(); // Assume this fetches a list of products
string filter = "Name=*Laptop;Price>=1000";

var gridifiedProducts = products
    .AsQueryable()
    .ApplyFiltering(filter)
    .ToList();

In the example above, the filter string defines that the query should return products with names containing "Laptop" and a price greater than or equal to 1000.

3. Advanced Filtering and Sorting

Gridify supports more than just simple filtering. You can also apply complex filters, sort data, and paginate results.

Sorting Example

string sortBy = "Price";
var sortedProducts = products
    .AsQueryable()
    .ApplyOrdering(sortBy)
    .ToList();

Complex Filtering Example

string complexFilter = "Name=*Laptop,Category=Electronics;Price>=1000";
var filteredProducts = products
    .AsQueryable()
    .ApplyFiltering(complexFilter)
    .ToList();

4. Pagination

Pagination is straightforward with Gridify. You can specify the page number and page size directly in the query string.

string paginationFilter = "Price>=1000";
int pageNumber = 1;
int pageSize = 10;

var paginatedProducts = products
    .AsQueryable()
    .ApplyFiltering(paginationFilter)
    .ApplyOrdering("Price")
    .ApplyPaging(pageNumber, pageSize)
    .ToList();

Gridify in Action

Consider an ASP.NET Core Web API project where you need to implement dynamic querying for a list of products.

[HttpGet]
public IActionResult GetProducts(
    [FromQuery] string? filter, 
    [FromQuery] string? orderBy, 
    [FromQuery] int page = 1, 
    [FromQuery] int pageSize = 10)
{
    var products = _context.Products.AsQueryable();

    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(filter))
    {
        products = products.ApplyFiltering(filter);
    }

    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(orderBy))
    {
        products = products.ApplyOrdering(orderBy);
    }

    var paginatedProducts = products
        .ApplyPaging(page, pageSize)
        .ToList();

    return Ok(paginatedProducts);
}

Benefits of Using Gridify

  • Simplicity: Gridify simplifies the construction of dynamic queries, reducing the amount of boilerplate code.
  • Flexibility: It supports a wide range of filtering, sorting, and pagination scenarios.
  • Maintainability: The clean and concise syntax makes your code easier to read and maintain.
  • Integration: Gridify seamlessly integrates with existing LINQ queries, allowing you to extend its capabilities with minimal effort.

Conclusion

Dynamic LINQ queries are indispensable in modern .NET applications, providing the flexibility to query data based on runtime conditions. By leveraging Gridify, you can make this process even more efficient and maintainable. Whether you're building search functionalities, reporting tools, or complex data-driven applications, Gridify offers a robust solution to handle dynamic LINQ queries with ease.


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