Version 4.1 of the Entity Framework contains both the Code First approach and the new DbContext API. This API provides a more productive surface for working with the Entity Framework and can be used with the Code First, Database First, and Model First approaches. This is the first post of a twelve part series containing collections of patterns and code fragments showing how features of the new API can be used.

Looks at how to use the various constructors on DbContext to configure connection strings and the Code First, Model First, or Database First mode of the context. Also looks at the different ways that sets can be defined on a derived context.

Demonstrates entity states and shows how to add and attach entities and change the state of an existing entity.

Examines entity states and shows how to add and attach entities and change the state of an existing entity.

Shows different ways to get information about property values and manipulate the current, original, and database property values of entities and complex objects.

Demonstrates how to load entities eagerly as part of a query, and lazily either automatically or with an explicit call to the Load method. Also looks at how to use the Query method to make adjustments to the loading query.

Looks at how the Local property of a DbSet can be used to look at the local collection of entities in that set and how it this local collection stays in sync with the context. Also demonstrates how Local can be used for data binding. Finally, shows the Entities methods which provide detailed information about tracked entities.

How to switch off proxy creation, how to explicitly create a proxy instance, and how to get the actual entity type from a proxy type.

Looks at various patterns for resolving optimistic concurrency exceptions, including database wins, client wins, and a hybrid approach in which the user chooses the resolved values.

Examines ways in which entities and other types can be queried from the database using raw SQL, and how raw non-query commands can be executed on the database.

Looks at the Load extension method for loading entities into the context and the AsNoTracking extension method for returning entities without tracking them.

Looks at when DbContext automatically detects changes in your tracked entities and gives some guidance as to when this automatic change detection should be turned off.