Using Linq with 2D array, Select not found

Question

I want to use Linq to query a 2D array but visual studio c# 2010 express gives the message: Could not find an implementation of the query pattern for source type 'SimpleGame.ILandscape[,]'. 'Select' not found. Are you missing a reference to 'System.Core.dll' or a using directive for 'System.Linq'?

var doors = from landscape in this.map select landscape;

I've checked that I included the reference System.Core and using System.Linq.

Could anyone give some possible causes?

Thanks in advance.

Some additional information: The code is in a class in a class library, which is part of a solution having three projects.

Answer 1

Make sure your project is set to build against at least .Net Framework 3.5 or higher.

Answer 2

Your map is a multidimensional array--these do not support LINQ query operations:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/275073/why-does-c-multidimensional-arrays-not-implement-ienumerablet

You'll need to either flatten the storage for your array (probably the best way to go for many reasons) or write some custom enumeration code for it:

public IEnumerable<T> Flatten<T>(T[,] map) {
  for (int row = 0; row < map.GetLength(0); row++) {
    for (int col = 0; col < map.GetLength(1); col++) {
      yield return map[row,col];
    }
  }
}

Answer 3

See this answer: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1009019/c-select-unknown-item-from-multi-dimensional-array

Answer 4

In order to use your multidimensional array with LINQ, you simply need to convert it to IEnumerable<T>. It's simple enough, here are two example options for querying

int[,] array = { { 1, 2 }, { 3, 4 } };

var query = from int item in array
            where item % 2 == 0
            select item;

var query2 = from item in array.Cast<int>()
                where item % 2 == 0
                select item;

Each syntax will convert the 2D array into an IEnumerable<T> (because you say int item in one from clause or array.Cast<int>() in the other). You can then filter, select, or perform whatever projection you wish using LINQ methods.