Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a powerful and flexible Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework developed by Microsoft. It allows developers to work with databases using .NET objects, simplifying data access and manipulation. In this extended article, we will delve into the key aspects of Entity Framework Core and explore how it can enhance your data-driven applications.
Getting Started with EF Core
Model-Driven Development
Entity Framework Core follows a model-driven development approach, often referred to as Code-First development. Developers define their data models as classes, which EF Core then uses to create the corresponding database schema. This approach provides a natural and intuitive way to design your database structure, as you can work with familiar C# classes.
Let’s consider an example where we have a simple `Product` class:
public class Product
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public decimal Price { get; set; }
}
With this class, EF Core can generate a database table with columns for `Id`, `Name`, and `Price`. This minimizes the need for writing SQL queries and maintains a clean separation between your application’s logic and…