Entity Framework

Entity Framework (EF) is an open-source object-relational mapping (ORM) framework for .NET applications, developed by Microsoft. It enables developers to work with relational data using domain-specific objects, eliminating the need for most of the data-access code that developers usually need to write. It supports LINQ queries, change tracking, updates, and schema migrations, making database interactions more intuitive and efficient.

Also known as: EF, EntityFramework, EF Core, ADO.NET Entity Framework, Microsoft Entity Framework

🧊Why learn Entity Framework?

Developers should learn Entity Framework when building .NET applications that require database interactions, as it simplifies data access by abstracting SQL queries into C# or VB.NET code. It is particularly useful for rapid application development, reducing boilerplate code, and ensuring type safety with LINQ. Use cases include web applications (e.g., ASP.NET Core), desktop apps, and services where maintainability and productivity are priorities.

See how it ranks →

Compare Entity Framework

Entity Framework vs Dapper→Entity Framework vs Nhibernate→Entity Framework vs Ado Net→

Learning Resources

Entity Framework Core Documentation

Entity Framework Tutorial for Beginners

Pluralsight: Entity Framework Core Course

YouTube: Entity Framework Core Full Course

Book: Programming Entity Framework

Related Tools

C Sharp Asp Net Core Linq Sql Server Database Design

Alternatives to Entity Framework

Dapper Nhibernate Ado Net

Other .NET Languages

.NET Core is a free, open-source, cross-platform framework for building modern applications, developed by Microsoft. It supports the development of web apps, microservices, APIs, and cloud-based solutions using languages like C#, F#, and Visual Basic. It is designed to be modular, high-performance, and runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

.NET Framework is a proprietary software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Windows. It provides a large class library called Framework Class Library (FCL) and language interoperability across several programming languages, enabling developers to build a wide range of applications, including desktop, web, and mobile. It includes features like memory management, security, and exception handling, and supports languages such as C#, VB.NET, and F#.

.NET Framework is a proprietary software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Windows. It provides a large class library called Framework Class Library (FCL) and language interoperability across several programming languages, enabling developers to build a wide range of applications, including desktop, web, and mobile. It includes features such as memory management, security, and exception handling, and supports languages like C#, VB.NET, and F#.

A-Frame is an open-source web framework for building virtual reality (VR) experiences that run directly in web browsers. It uses HTML-like syntax with custom elements to create 3D and VR scenes, abstracting away the complexity of WebGL and WebXR APIs. It is built on top of Three.js and is widely used for creating immersive web-based VR content.

Active Record is an object-relational mapping (ORM) framework that provides an abstraction layer between a database and application code, allowing developers to interact with database records as objects. It follows the Active Record pattern, where each database table corresponds to a class, and each row corresponds to an instance of that class, with methods for CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations. It is most famously implemented in Ruby on Rails but has inspired similar frameworks in other languages.

ADO.NET is a data access framework in the .NET ecosystem that provides a set of classes for connecting to and interacting with data sources such as databases, XML files, and web services. It enables developers to perform CRUD operations, manage transactions, and handle data in a disconnected or connected manner through components like DataSet, DataReader, and DataAdapter. It serves as the core technology for data access in applications built with C#, VB.NET, and other .NET languages.