Differences Between Entity Framework and Entity Framework Core

 

Microsoft built both Entity Framework (EF) and Entity Framework Core (EF Core) for .NET apps. They are both Object-Relational Mappers (ORMs). Their main goal is to let developers work with databases using .NET objects instead of writing SQL queries by hand. EF Core, on the other hand, is a complete redesign and re-architecture of Entity Framework for the modern .NET ecosystem.

 

• Compatibility with Platforms:
  • Primarily designed for and tied to the .NET Framework. While later versions like EF6 had some support for .NET Core, their core design was rooted in the older framework.
  • Entity Framework Core (EF Core): It was made from the ground up for .NET Core and later versions like .NET 5, 6, and so on. This makes it really cross-platform, so you can run EF Core apps on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• Architecture and Modularity:
  • Entity Framework (EF6 and earlier) was more monolithic.
  • Entity Framework Core (EF Core): has been redesigned to be much lighter and more modular. It has a plugin format for database providers, so you only need to include the parts you require, which makes the program smaller.
• Performance:
  • Entity Framework (EF6 and earlier): Sometimes it had performance problems because it had more features and a more complex design.
  • Entity Framework Core (EF Core): Optimized for performance and resource usage. It often generates more efficient SQL queries and has a leaner runtime.
• New Features and Changes:
  • Entity Framework Core (EF Core) adds a lot of new capabilities and improvements that weren't in EF6, such as:
    • Better LINQ translation: Better at turning complicated LINQ queries into fast SQL.
    • Better query capabilities: More powerful tools for searching through data.
    • Support for NoSQL databases (via providers): EF Core's provider model lets the community help with some NoSQL databases, even though it was made for relational databases.
    • New Change Tracker: Both have change tracking, although EF Core's is often better.
    • Batch updates and deletes (in later versions): better techniques to do bulk operations.