Linq To XML provides advantages over previous .NET XML options like being faster, using LINQ query syntax for easier processing, and having simpler classes. It allows loading XML from files or strings, creating XML trees, querying XML with namespaces, and validating against schemas. The overview demonstrates its usage and provides links for additional resources.

1. Linq To XML Overview
Dale Hawthorne
For Sherwin Williams

2. Linq To XML Overview -2
Previous .NET Options:
• XmlDocument: Implements DOM, processor
and memory intensive due to recursion,
loading entire document in a tree before
proceeding
• XmlReader, XmlWriter, XslCompiledTransform,
XmlNamespaceManager: Fast but code
implementations are difficult to understand,
not very readable

3. Linq To XML Overview -3
Advantages of Linq To XML:
• Built over XMLWriters and XMLReaders, will
generally be faster than XmlDocument class
• Uses Linq query syntax, so processing XML more
like asking or answering a question than parsing a
document
• Works with existing XML Schemas (.XSD), XML
Transforms (XSLT), XML Annotations, .NET XML
classes such as XmlReader, XPathNavigator
• Simpler classes: XDocument, XElement,
XAttribute, XCData, XComment

4. Linq To XML Overview - 4
How to use:
• Be sure that the Visual Studio project targets
the 3.5 (or above) framework.
• Add a reference to System.Linq.Dll
• Add using or imports statements for
System.Linq and System.Xml.Linq
• Be sure to catch System.Xml.XmlException or
other exceptions for malformed and invalid
XML

5. Linq To XML Overview - 5
Demos:
1. Loading XML from a file (C# and VB)
2. Loading XML from a string literal
3. Creating an XML tree in C#
4. Creating an XML Document with multiple
namespaces
5. Querying an XML document with namepaces
6. XML Document Validation
7. XSL Document Transformation

6. Linq To XML Overview - 6
XML Goodies in Visual Studio, SDK
• XSD.EXE can generate .NET classes from XSD
• SVCUTIL.EXE can generate WCF DataContracts and
services from XSD
• Visual Studio allows XSLT compilation and debugging.
• Linq To XSD:
(http://www.hanselman.com/blog/LINQToEverything
LINQToXSDAddsMoreLINQiness.aspx,http://linqtoxsd.
codeplex.com/,
http://www.netframeworkdev.com/net-base-class-
library/linq-to-xsd-how-to-use-linq-to-xsd-
functionality-in-general-application-2782.shtml,
http://aspalliance.com/chapters/chapters/184719254
8/linq%20-%20sample%20chapter.pdf)

7. Linq To XML Overview - Final Links
Links on XML, LINQ to XML
• O’Reilly XML Site: http://www.xml.com/
• ZVON.org: http://www.zvon.org/index.php
• W3Schools.com: http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp
• XML Pitstop: http://www.xmlpitstop.com/
• LINQ on MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bb397926.aspx
• LINQ to XML on MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bb387098.aspx
• Get Started with LINQ to XML: http://www.asp.net/learn/linq-
videos/video-215.aspx
• Enable XML IntelliSense and Use XML Namespaces
http://www.asp.net/learn/linq-videos/video-216.aspx
• Create Excel Spreadsheets using LINQ to XML
http://www.asp.net/learn/linq-videos/video-218.aspx