What does LINQ stand for?

LINQ stands for Language Integrated Query. It is a powerful feature in .NET that allows developers to write queries directly within programming languages such as C# and VB.NET. By integrating query capabilities into the language itself, LINQ enables developers to work with data from various sources, such as databases, XML documents, or collections in a consistent manner.

The significance of LINQ lies in its ability to unify the query syntax across different data sources, allowing for stronger type checking at compile time and reducing the likelihood of run-time errors. This approach also improves code readability and maintainability, as it blends seamlessly with the programming language structure instead of requiring separate, domain-specific languages or APIs for different types of data queries.

Understanding LINQ is essential for developers as it streamlines data manipulation tasks and promotes a more productive development experience by leveraging the full range of .NET features.