The ADO.NET Entity Framework is designed to enable developers to create data access applications by programming against a conceptual application model instead of programming directly against a relational storage schema. The goal is to decrease the amount of code and maintenance required for data-oriented applications. Entity Framework applications provide the following benefits:
Applications can work in terms of a more application-centric conceptual model, including types with inheritance, complex members, and relationships.
Applications are freed from hard-coded dependencies on a particular data engine or storage schema.
Mappings between the conceptual model and the storage-specific schema can change without changing the application code.
Developers can work with a consistent application object model that can be mapped to various storage schemas, possibly implemented in different database management systems.
Multiple conceptual models can be mapped to a single storage schema.
Language-integrated query (LINQ) support provides compile-time syntax validation for queries against a conceptual model.
Depending on what you are most interested in, you should consider getting started with the Entity Framework in one of the following topics.
Quickstart (Entity Framework)
Getting Started (Entity Framework)
Entity Data Model Tools Tasks
Entity Framework Tasks
Samples (Entity Framework)
Data Platform How Do I? Videos: Entity Framework Series
Introducing the Entity Framework
Application Scenarios (Entity Framework)
Entity Data Model Wizard
ADO.NET Entity Data Model Designer Overview
LINQ to Entities Overview
Query Expression Syntax Examples (LINQ to Entities)
Querying an Entity Data Model (Entity Framework Tasks)
Feature Reference (Entity Framework)
Entity Framework Resources
Provides an overview of the features and functionality introduced in the ADO.NET Entity Framework.
Describes how to design and create an Entity Framework application.
Contains conceptual topics, how-to's and tutorials that demonstrate the capabilities of the Entity Framework.
Contains conceptual content describing the Entity Data Model, Object Services, and Entity SQL.
Contains sample applications demonstrating the features and functionality of the Entity Framework.
Describes terminology used in the Entity Framework.