ADO.NET Entity Framework

The ADO.NET Entity Framework enables 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.

Where Should I Start?

Depending on what you are most interested in, you should consider getting started with the Entity Framework in one of the following topics.

  • Just show me some code…

In This Section

Entity Framework Overview

Getting Started (Entity Framework)

Configuring the Entity Framework

Modeling and Mapping

Querying a Conceptual Model

Working with Objects

Working with Data Providers

Development and Deployment Considerations

Language Reference

Samples

Entity Framework Resources

Entity Framework Terminology

See Also

Other Resources

ADO.NET