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Question

What is the best way to retrieve a "X" number of random records using Entity Framework (EF5 if it's relevant). The value of "X" will be set based on where this will be used.

Is there a method for doing this built into EF or is best to pull down a result set and then use a C# random number function to pull the records. Or is there a method that I'm not thinking of?

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On the off chance that it's relevant I have a table that stores images that I use for different usages (there is a FK to an image type table). The images that I use in my carousel on the homepage is what I'm wanting to add some variety to...consequently how "random" it is doesn't matter to me much. I'm just trying to get away from the same six or so pictures always being displayed. (Also, I'm not really interested in debating/discussing storing images in a table vs local storage.)

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The solution needs to be one using EF via a LINQ statement. If this isn't directly possibly I may end up doing something SIMILAR to what @cmd has recommended in the comments. This would most likely be a matter of retrieving a record count...testing the PK to make sure the resulting object wasn't null and building a LIST of the X number of object's PKs to pass to front end. The carousel lazy loads the images so I don't actually need the image when I'm building the list that will be used by the carousel.

Answer 1

Can you just add an ORDER BY RAND() clause to your query?

See this related question: MySQL: Alternatives to ORDER BY RAND()