Microsoft's Choice of Extension Methods for LINQ

Why did Microsoft choose to use extension methods for LINQ rather than simply including these methods in the IEnumerable interface?

What is the corresponding LINQ query to square all the elements of an array containing even integers from 2 to 20?

Microsoft's Reason for Using Extension Methods

Microsoft chose extension methods for LINQ to avoid breaking existing code and enhance flexibility.

Coding the LINQ Query

The corresponding LINQ query to square all elements of an array that contains even integers from 2 to 20 is provided.

In programming, extension methods provide a flexible way to add new functionality to existing classes, interfaces, or structures without modifying their structure or introducing breaking changes to the codebase. In the case of LINQ (Language-Integrated Query) in Microsoft's .NET ecosystem, the decision to use extension methods instead of directly including these methods in the IEnumerable interface was a strategic choice.

Extension methods offer an effective method of adding functionality to classes or interfaces, such as IEnumerable, without having to modify the actual class. By using extension methods, Microsoft ensured that existing code utilizing IEnumerable would not be affected by the introduction of LINQ methods.

As for the LINQ query that squares all elements of an array containing even integers from 2 to 20, you can achieve this by using LINQ's Enumerable methods. The query would involve selecting the even integers and then squaring each element in the resulting array.

By implementing LINQ with extension methods, Microsoft provided developers with a powerful tool to enhance the capabilities of existing classes and interfaces without altering their core implementation. This approach promotes code reusability, maintainability, and ensures backward compatibility with previous codebases.