WebCombo has been improved to support 'LINQ to SQL' technology as well. WebCombo can connect to either LinqDataSource or ISLinqDataSource. When bound to LinqDataSource, WebCombo will perform the query and paging on the database server through LINQ to SQL, while at the same time consistently supporting the essential WebCombo features such as AllowWildcardSearch, AdditionalSearchFields and Linked WebCombo. Together with the state-of-the-art AJAX architecture, this improvement enables WebCombo to retrieve data from million records table in a fraction of seconds, which ultimately translates to an improved user experience.
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Before LINQ to SQL, WebCombo already provides advanced mechanism to allow users to perform query at database layer. However, the previous technique will require tremendous amount of code. Now, thanks to LINQ to SQL technology, WebCombo can perform value lookup and text searching automatically, without requiring extensive coding. This translates to big time-saving in both development and production. |
It is highly recommended to use LinqDataSource when you bind a fairly large datasource to the WebCombo. With LinqDataSource, WebCombo can perform search query and return it to client in less than a second.
The following sections describe how to prepare the project to start using LINQ-to-SQL.
Preparing the project
Before we can use LINQ to SQL, we need to configure the LINQ to SQL classes. To get started, let's create a new Web application project (or a new Website), and add Northwind.mdf to your App_Data folder.
Next, add LINQ to SQL Classes and name it Northwind.dbml such as shown below.
Finally, open Server Explorer, then drag the desired SQL tables into the designer surface of the newly created Northwind.dbml such as shown below:
Save the Northwind.dbml file.
To learn more about binding WebCombo to LinqDataSource, see Walkthrough: Binding WebCombo to LinqDataSource.
To learn more about AllowWildcardSearch, see Walkthrough: Enabling AllowWildcardSearch.
To learn more about linked WebCombo, see Walkthrough: Configuring Linked WebCombo.