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Introduction to Entity Framework

Introduction to Entity Framework

Entity Framework (EF) is an open-source Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework for .NET applications provided by Microsoft. It enables developers to work with data as objects and properties. Using Entity Framework, developers can perform CRUD operations without having to write SQL queries.

What is ORM?​

ORM stands for Object-Relational Mapping. It's a technique that lets you interact with your database, like SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL, in an object-oriented manner. With ORM, you can perform database operations without writing SQL queries.

Why Use Entity Framework?​

Entity Framework allows you to focus more on the business logic of the application rather than writing data access code. Here are some benefits of Entity Framework:

  • Productivity: With Entity Framework, you can interact with the database using LINQ queries instead of writing SQL queries.

  • Performance: Entity Framework includes several performance optimization techniques such as caching and batch updates.

  • Maintenance: Since Entity Framework generates the SQL for you, the code is easier to maintain and understand.

Different Versions of Entity Framework​

There are two versions of Entity Framework:

  1. Entity Framework 6 (EF6): This is the older version, which is still widely used. It's a stable and mature framework that has many features not yet available in EF Core.

  2. Entity Framework Core (EF Core): This is the newest version of Entity Framework, which is lightweight, extensible, and cross-platform. It's not as feature-rich as EF6, but it's being actively developed and improved.

Components of Entity Framework​

Entity Framework includes the following main components:

  • DbContext: This is the primary class that is responsible for interacting with the database.

  • DbSet: It represents a collection of entities of a specific type - a table in the database.

  • Migration: Entity Framework includes a feature called Migrations that allows you to manage database schema changes.

Conclusion​

Entity Framework is a powerful tool for .NET developers. It simplifies data access code and allows you to focus more on the business logic of the application. In the next sections, you'll learn more about how to use Entity Framework in your applications.