Eager Loading

eager-loading-good

//Uses string notation - lots of typos!
//var posts = context.Posts
//                   .Include("Author")
//                   .ToArray();

//Uses lambda notation - Intellisense and easy refactoring = love
//Note: include System.Data.Entity to use.
var posts = context.Posts
                   .Include(p => p.Author)
                   .ToArray();
 
var model = (from post in posts
             select new PostsViewModel
                 {
                     Title = post.Title,
                     Url = post.Url,
                     AuthorName = post.Author.Name,
                     AuthorTwitterHandle = post.Author.TwitterHandle
                 }).ToArray();

public class Post : EntityBase
{
    public string Title { get; set; }
    public string Url { get; set; }
    public virtual Author Author { get; set; }
}

public class Author : EntityBase
{
    public Author()
    {
        Posts = new Collection<Post>();
    }

    public string Name { get; set; }
    public string TwitterHandle { get; set; }
    public virtual ICollection<Post> Posts { get; set; }
}