How to check if the list is empty before using Select(LINQ)?

Question

I’m using a dictionary and the key will be the property name and value will be the LINQ query below:

Model.Listexample.Select(a => a.property)

How I can check if there are any items in the list without writing if statement? We can use any other LINQ statement where it checks if there are any elements in the list before using Select().

I tried (Model.Listexample.Any()).Select but it didn’t work.

And how do you think Any() is written? What do you have against if() statements? — Tanveer Badar
– Tanveer Badar, Commented Mar 29, 2019 at 5:18
Hi Tanveer - I think it’s not good to use an if statement inside a dictionary object. As I mentioned above key is property name and value is Select LINQ statement, I want to use Any() and Select() in a same statement rather than using if statement again. Is it possible through LINQ? — Stackoverflowuser
– Stackoverflowuser, Commented Mar 29, 2019 at 5:23
@Stackoverflowuser - Could you please clarify your question as per the comments in the answers? — Enigmativity
– Enigmativity, Commented Mar 29, 2019 at 6:12

meJustAndrew · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-29 05:23:05Z

4

Don't check if the List is empty, the Select will do it for you. At most you can check for null:

var newList = Model.Listexample?.Select(a => a.property)

answered Mar 29, 2019 at 5:23

meJustAndrew

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9 Comments

vc 74 Over a year ago

As commented, the OP does not need to check the list for nullity but for emptiness

Enigmativity Over a year ago

@vc74 - The OP's question doesn't make sense if taken at face value - this answer is the best interpretation of the actual need in my opinion.

vc 74 Over a year ago

@Enigmativity IMO it's not, the OP has commented that the list is not null. He/she just want to have a different behavior in case the list is empty. Question is... which?

meJustAndrew Over a year ago

@Stackoverflowuser The point that I am trying to make in my answer is that the Select statement does check for Empty and returns an empty List. Is there something else that you want to do in that case?

meJustAndrew Over a year ago

@vc74 this sounds to me like an XY problem

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Prashant Pimpale · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-29 05:22:44Z

0

You can check to use below syntax in linq:

Model.Listexample?.Select(a => a.property)

edited Mar 29, 2019 at 5:22

Prashant Pimpale

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answered Mar 29, 2019 at 5:21

Bilal Ahmed

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Comments

Lana · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-29 05:21:10Z

-1

Model.Listexample.Any(a => a.property) ? Model.Listexample.Select(a => a.property) : null;

answered Mar 29, 2019 at 5:21

Lana

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5 Comments

Stackoverflowuser Over a year ago

Hi meJustAndrew and Bilal- I want to check if list has any items in it specifically it shouldn’t be an empty list like []. null check is already validated before in the code.

vc 74 Over a year ago

@Stackoverflowuser Which behavior (default value, exception...?) do you want when the list is empty?

vc 74 Over a year ago

@Stackoverflowuser Also, if you want to comment answers please do in the specific answers, not in other answers not related to your comment.

Stackoverflowuser Over a year ago

Is it correct ?Model.Listexample.Any(a => a.property) ? Model.Listexample.Select(a => a.property) : null;

vc 74 Over a year ago

@Stackoverflowuser It can be correct if a.property is a boolean, and you want to check if it's true for any item in the list but if you just want to check whether there are items in the list: Any() will do (check my answer)

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