Entity Framework Upside Down
Entity Framework Upside Down: Learn why improper EF implementation causes production issues and how to use ORM features effectively.
If you have read my previous articles, you must know that I don't like ORMs that much, and I'm also a pretty lazy person. I don't like to repeat stuff again and again. If I can find the solution, then I will automate it or I just change from the very root. The same thing is true with Entity Framework. It came after LINQ to SQL as an improved ORM, and it proved to be lousy. But here is the catch: if we are not using it with all its functionality, it is lousy.
Now, it provides proper naming at the entity level and also inheritance-like stuff. It's really a cool and neat feature about Entity Framework to abstract away the complexity of databases with '_' names. I never understood this type of naming, and I don't know if I ever will. But if you are just updating from the database and using it, then there is no use of EF at all. Or there is no need for EF. If I become a little bit harsh, then I can say "WE ARE DOING IT WRONG".
And after EF evolved to further versions, it is providing more features, but still we are stuck with the features that are shown in Channel9. We must understand here that there is a difference between demo and production. In demo we have a pizza factory; in production we never do—at least in most cases. So things are far different in a production environment. If we are just deleting and adding entities, then obviously again "WE ARE DOING IT WRONG". If anyone thinks, "Who the hell are you to tell us that?" Well, I am just nothing and no one, but I am open-minded to ideas and new things. Just think about how much more overhead you are having for pushing EF into production. It is there to help you out, not to make things worse.
I tweeted about it and also got a reply from Rob Conery of Tekpub. I insist you check that out. I must say EF is a tool; if we are not careful, it will surely hit our own ass very badly. Here is the link for the tweet. So I am not providing any right way, as there are many and you will find them on Google, but I am just saying to think twice before coming to a conclusion or before porting a demo to a production environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using Entity Framework incorrectly typically means simply updating the database schema and using it as a basic mapping tool without leveraging its core features like proper naming conventions, inheritance abstractions, and advanced functionality. When EF is used this way, you're essentially adding unnecessary overhead without gaining the benefits it was designed to provide, making it pointless to use the ORM at all.
Demos often show simplified scenarios like a pizza factory that don't reflect real-world complexity, whereas production environments deal with intricate database structures, naming conventions, and performance requirements. Understanding this distinction is crucial because what works in a demo can create significant overhead and performance issues when deployed to a production environment.
Entity Framework provides important features including proper entity-level naming abstraction, inheritance support, and advanced querying capabilities through LINQ. Rather than just performing basic delete and add operations, developers should leverage these features to properly abstract database complexity and improve code maintainability.
No, Entity Framework isn't suitable for every project. Before using it, carefully evaluate whether you'll actually benefit from its features or if you're simply adding unnecessary complexity. If you're only doing basic CRUD operations without leveraging EF's advanced capabilities, you may be better served by alternative approaches or lighter-weight solutions.