title: Entity Framework Syntax for Beginners
body: <p>Can anyone please help me with a general Entity Framework question? I'm a newbie and trying to teach myself from reading and trial &amp; error. However, I'm getting REALLY confused on all the syntax and terminology. And the more I google, the more confused I get! <br /><br /></p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>What in the world are those little arrows (=>) used in the syntax? And I'm not even sure what the name of the syntax is...is it Entity Framework syntax? Linq to method syntax? Linq to Entity syntax?</p></li>
  <li><p>Why does it seem like you can use random letters when using that syntax? the "f" below seems interchangeable with any alphabet letter since Intellisense gives me options no matter what letter I type. So what is that letter supposed to stand for anyway? There seems to be no declaration for it. </p>
  
  <p><code>var query = fruits.SelectMany(f =&gt; f.Split(' '));</code></p></li>
  <li><p>Is it better to use the syntax with the little arrows or to use the "psuedo SQL" that I keep seeing, like below. This seems a little easier to understand, but is this considered not the Real Entity Framework Way?</p>
  
  <p><code>var query = from f in fruits from word in f.Split(' ') select word;</code></p></li>
  <li><p>And, for any of them - is there any documentation out there ANYWHERE?? I've been scouring the internet for tutorials, articles, anything, but all that comes back are small sample queries varying with the little arrows or that psuedo SQL, with no explanations beyond "here's how to do a select:"</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>I would much appreciate any guidance or assistance. I think if I can just find out where to start, then I can build myself from there. Thanks!</p>