Select allows you to apply a transformation to every element in any data structure implementing IEnumerable.
Getting the first character of each string in the following list:
List<String> trees = new List<String>{ "Oak", "Birch", "Beech", "Elm", "Hazel", "Maple" };
Using regular (lambda) syntax
//The below select stament transforms each element in tree into its first character.
IEnumerable<String> initials = trees.Select(tree => tree.Substring(0, 1));
foreach (String initial in initials) {
System.Console.WriteLine(initial);
}
Output:
O
B
B
E
H
M
Using LINQ Query Syntax
initials = from tree in trees
select tree.Substring(0, 1);