Working with Entity Framework Code First

What is Entity Framework

Entity Framework (EF) is an object-relational mapper that enables .NET developers to work with relational data using domain-specific objects. It eliminates the need for most of the data-access code that developers usually need to write.

How to install Entity Framework

1. Open Package Manager Console
2. Run,

        Install-Package EntityFramework

What is Code First 

Entity Framework introduced Code-First approach from Entity Framework 4.1. Code-First is mainly useful in Domain Driven Design. With the Code-First approach, you can focus on the domain design and start creating classes as per your domain requirement rather than design your database first and then create the classes which match your database design. Code-First APIs will create the database on the fly based on your entity classes and configuration.

Code First Work Flow

Write application domain classes and context class→ configure domain classes for additional mapping requirements → Hit F5 to run the application → Code First API creates new database or map existing database with domain classes → Seed default/test data into the database → Finally launches the application