c# - Linq to Entities figure out count of rows without returning rows -

i hope 1 of guys can me question: given method below, can cause count done on db server rather retrieve rows, , function should not running query each search name, should run 1 sql statement each call of function.

you can simplify query dramatically using contains translated where in clause. count matching rows.

public static int countemployeesbyname(ienumerable<string> namestosearch) {     using (var context = new applicationentities())     {           return context.employees                         .where(e => namestosearch.contains(e.name))                         .count();     } }