How do I Take everything in a collection using Linq?

Question

I've got a method which can accept an optional int? value as a number of items to Take from a collection. I want to return all items if a null value is passed . Right now I have to duplicate my query to accomplish this

if(take == null)
{
     x = db.WalkingDeadEps.Where(x => x.BicyclesCouldHaveSavedLives == true).ToList()
}
else
{
     x = db.WalkingDeadEps.Where(x => x.BicyclesCouldHaveSavedLives == true).Take(take).ToList()
}

Is there a simpler way? Something like this?

.Take(take != null ? take : "all")

Answer 1

with Linq you have the option to store your query in variables. it will not be executed until you call ToList or equivalent methods on it.

var query = db.WalkingDeadEps.Where(x => x.BicyclesCouldHaveSavedLives == true);
x = take.HasValue ? query.Take(take.Value).ToList() : query.ToList();