.Where().FirstOrDefault() vs .FirstOrDefault()

Question

Using Linq to Entities is there a difference between the following?

db.EntityName.Where(a => a.Id == id).FirstOrDefault();

db.EntityName.FirstOrDefault(a         


        

Answer 1

Both generate the same SQL statement. The second approach is shorter, while the first might be clearer to some developers. Ultimately it's a matter of personal preference.

You can inspect the SQL using the ObjectQuery.ToTraceString method.