Using .Count() to test for emptiness works, but using .Any() makes the intent clearer, and the code more readable. However, there are some cases where special attention should be paid:

• if the collection is an EntityFramework or other ORM query, calling .Count() will cause executing a potentially massive SQL query and could put a large overhead on the application database. Calling .Any() will also connect to the database, but will generate much more efficient SQL.
• if the collection is part of a LINQ query that contains .Select() statements that create objects, a large amount of memory could be unnecessarily allocated. Calling .Any() will be much more efficient because it will execute fewer iterations of the enumerable.

Noncompliant Code Example

private static bool HasContent(IEnumerable<string> strings)
{
  return strings.Count() > 0;  // Noncompliant
}

private static bool HasContent2(IEnumerable<string> strings)
{
  return strings.Count() >= 1;  // Noncompliant
}

private static bool IsEmpty(IEnumerable<string> strings)
{
  return strings.Count() == 0;  // Noncompliant
}

Compliant Solution

private static bool HasContent(IEnumerable<string> strings)
{
  return strings.Any();
}

private static bool HasContent2(IEnumerable<string> strings)
{
  return strings.Any();
}

private static bool IsEmpty(IEnumerable<string> strings)
{
  return !strings.Any();
}