How Can I Efficiently Convert a DataTable to a Generic List in C#?

Transforming DataTables into Generic Lists in C#

Several methods exist for converting a DataTable to a generic list in C#. A common approach involves iterating through each row and adding it to the list.

DataTable dt = CreateDataTableInSomeWay();

List<DataRow> list = new List<DataRow>();
foreach (DataRow dr in dt.Rows)
{
    list.Add(dr);
}

A More Efficient Method: Extension Methods

.NET 3.5 and later versions offer a more efficient solution using extension methods from the DataTableExtensions class. The AsEnumerable() method transforms the DataTable into an IEnumerable<datarow></datarow>, which can then be easily converted to a List<datarow></datarow> using ToList().

IEnumerable<DataRow> sequence = dt.AsEnumerable();

// Or, more directly:
using System.Linq;
...
List<DataRow> list = dt.AsEnumerable().ToList();

This LINQ-based approach avoids explicit looping, resulting in cleaner and potentially faster code.

Performance Analysis

When choosing a conversion method, performance is key. Row-by-row iteration can be slow with large DataTables. The AsEnumerable() and ToList() method combination generally offers superior performance due to its optimized implementation.

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