How can I see the SQL generated by EF db.entityset?

Question

I have something like this in a repository:

var results = db.EventSet.Include("Events")
                               .Include("TestResults")
                               .Include("Events.Donors")
                               .Include("Events.DonorPanels")
                               .Include("Events.Locations")
                               .Include("Events.DonorPanels.AgenciesDonors")
                               .Where(x => x.Events.Donors.DonorId == DonorId 
                                      && x.Events.Active)
                               .OrderByDescending(x => x.Events.ScheduledDate)
                               .ThenByDescending(x => x.CreatedAt)
                               .ToList();

How can I see the SQL generated by EF for this?

Answer 1

One easy way is to use the SQL Server Profiler, but get ready for a nasty surprise.

Answer 2

SQL Profiler.

Alternately, change your code to:

var q = db.EventSet.Include("Events")
                           .Include("TestResults")
                           .Include("Events.Donors")
                           .Include("Events.DonorPanels")
                           .Include("Events.Locations")
                           .Include("Events.DonorPanels.AgenciesDonors")
                           .Where(x => x.Events.Donors.DonorId == DonorId 
                                  && x.Events.Active)
                           .OrderByDescending(x => x.Events.ScheduledDate)
                           .ThenByDescending(x => x.CreatedAt);
var sql = (q as ObjectQuery).ToTraceString();
var results = q.ToList();

Answer 3

Profiler is definitely a great way to go, but if you're developing against SQL Server express, it's not available (that I'm aware of).

Another option would be to use LINQPad. It will show you the SQL, Lambda, IL, and results generated for linq queries. Definitely a must-have tool if you're doing EF development IMO.

http://www.linqpad.net/