It is an acronym for Language integrated query which was introduced with visual studio 2008. LINQ is a set of features that extend query capabilities to the .NET framework language syntax that allows data manipulation irrespective of the data source. LINQ bridges the gap between the world of objects and the world of data.

For a .NET interview question about LINQ (Language-Integrated Query), the correct answer would be:

LINQ is an acronym for Language-Integrated Query. It is a feature of the .NET framework that allows developers to write queries directly within C# or other .NET languages to manipulate data regardless of its source (such as collections, arrays, databases, XML). LINQ provides a consistent way to query and manipulate data using a syntax that is similar to SQL (Structured Query Language), making it easier for developers to work with data in their applications. LINQ offers a set of standard query operators that enable powerful querying capabilities, including filtering, sorting, grouping, and joining data. LINQ queries are strongly typed and checked at compile time, which helps catch errors early in the development process. Overall, LINQ enhances productivity, readability, and maintainability of code by providing a declarative way to work with data.