Database First Approach in Entity Framework

Introduction

Read my last post ‘Code First Approach in Entity Framework’ for EF introduction even for the basic touch.

What is Database First Approach?

Database First Approach provides an alternative to the Code First and Model First approaches to the Entity Data Model and it creates model codes (classes, properties, DbContext etc) from the database in the project and that classes becomes the link between database and controller. If you remember my last post ‘Code First Approach in Entity Framework’ (I’ll recommend you to read my ‘Code First’ post, as there is much basics covered), where firstly we have created model codes (classes, properties, DbContext) and then these model classes created database for us at run time and that’s why we called that ‘Code First’.

Mixed Approach

Entity Developer allows you to mix Model-First and Database-First approaches when designing your model. With Update to Database and Update from Database wizards you can easily synchronize your model and database in any direction. For example, you may generate model from the database, then edit it, and apply these changes to the database with Update to Database Wizard. And remember by updating Model from Database or Database from Model you will not lose your data anymore as we loses in 'Code First' development. Look at the screen here. We will do the practical in 'Model First' post.

Demo MVC Application

Create a new ASP.NET MVC Project by New > Project > ASP.NET MVC 4 Web Application > Empty Template, follow the image.

Now, follow the steps.

Step 1: Adding NuGet Package (if not available in references)

Note: You can ignore this step because adding Model (like in step 2) also adds 'System.Data.Entity' library automatically.

Right Click on the References Folder and select 'Manage NuGet Packages'. Alternatively you can install it from Tools > Library Package Manager > Package Manager Console and type 'Install-Package EntityFramework'. Okay, let's do this from NuGet Package window, type 'Entity Framework' in search box and click to install it. After installation you will notice a new library file in References Folder 'EntityFramework'.

Step 2: Adding Model1.edmx

Note: Adding Model also adds 'System.Data.Entity' library automatically and you don't need to do first step above.

Now, we got all the required library from the NuGet. Let’s go ahead and add ‘Entity Data Mode’ file by right clicking on Model folder and select Add > New Item and in the window select ‘ADO.NET Entity Data Model’, you can see further steps in image below. Remember to select ‘Generate from database’ option in ‘Entity Data Model Wizard’ and select any SQL Server Database or you may select Database file (.mdf), I’ll be using Database file in this demo, as my database file is located on another location (not in project) so, I’ll be prompted to copy the database file in project ‘App_Data’ folder. If you will select SQL Server or any other database vendor, you will not be asked to do so. Please refer image.

Now, you got Entity Data Model file in your Model folder with its all the necessary supportive files.

If you open ‘Model1.Designer.cs’ file, you will see all the properties, DbContext, DbSet that we need to establish link between model and database, but you know this is bit complicated lines or call it ‘not clean’. Don’t worry, we can create a cleaner version of this file. How?

You can do this by right clicking on ‘Model1.edmx’ file and selecting ‘Add Code Generation Item’ and from the window install ‘EF DbContext Generator for C#’. Follow the image.

Now, you will see much cleaner code, like we seen in ‘Code First’ post. Look at the screen.

Now we are ready to add Controllers and appropriate Views in the project which will be exactly same as we did in Step 3 to Step 7 of the post ‘Code First Approach in Entity Framework’. So, go through the post and do the rest codes. I know I’m quitting here, because it good to write another post/article than doing something duplicate.

Video Version of this post (in Hindi Language):-

I hope you like it. Thanks.