Get X random elements from table in database using Linq or lambda in C#

Question

I have a database with x amount users and I want to randomly get all the users and then write like 50 users out on my site. Right now I\'m only using .take(50)

Answer 1

Assuming you have an Id primary key column in your entity I would recommend to use the following query or you will be bringing down a lot of data for no reason.

var rnd = new Random();

// Get the employeeIds.
var employeeIds = EmployeeService.Data()
    .Select(e => e.Id)
    .ToList();

// Choose n number of random employeeIds.
var randomEmployeeIds = employeeIds
    .OrderBy(id => rnd.Next())
    .Take(x);

// Get random employees.
var employees = EmployeeService.Data().Where(emp => randomEmployeeIds.Contains(emp.Id));