Programming Entity Framework: Code First [Paperback]

Julia Lerman (Author), Rowan Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2011

Take advantage of the Code First data modeling approach in ADO.NET Entity Framework, and learn how to build and configure a model based on existing classes in your business domain. With this concise book, you’ll work hands-on with examples to learn how Code First can create an in-memory model and database by default, and how you can exert more control over the model through further configuration.

Code First provides an alternative to the database first and model first approaches to the Entity Data Model. Learn the benefits of defining your model with code, whether you’re working with an existing database or building one from scratch. If you work with Visual Studio and understand database management basics, this book is for you.

• Learn exactly what Code First does—and does not—enable you to do
• Understand how property attributes, relationships, and database mappings are inferred from your classes by Code First
• Use Data Annotations and the Fluent API to configure the Code First data model
• Perform advanced techniques, such as controlling the database schema and overriding the default model caching

This book is a continuation of author Julia Lerman’s Programming Entity Framework, widely recognized as the leading book on the topic.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's a great cover-to-cover read, and I can easily see topics I'll bookmark and come back to when I hit certain scenarios. If you're planning on using EF Code First, make getting this book a priority." - John Papa, Visual Studio Magazine

About the Author

Julia Lerman is the leading independent authority on the Entity Framework and has been using and teaching the technology since its inception in 2006. She is well known in the .NET community as a Microsoft MVP, ASPInsider, and INETA Speaker. Julia is a frequent presenter at technical conferences around the world and writes articles for many well-known technical publications including the Data Points column in MSDN Magazine.

Julia lives in Vermont with her husband, Rich, and gigantic dog, Sampson, where she runs the Vermont.NET User Group. You can read her blog at www.thedatafarm.com/blog and follow her on Twitter at julielerman.

Rowan Miller is based in Seattle, Washington and works as a Program Manager for the ADO.Net Entity Framework team at Microsoft. Prior to moving to the US he resided in the small state of Tasmania in Australia. Rowan speaks at technical conferences and blogs at http://romiller.com. Outside of technology Rowan's passions include snowboarding, mountain biking, horse riding, rock climbing and pretty much anything else that involves being active. The primary focus of his life, however, is to follow Jesus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media (December 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1449312942
• ISBN-13: 978-1449312947
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick and easy read, full of education January 5, 2012

By James Skemp VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

While I had heard of Julie Lerman and her book Programming Entity Framework, after the release of code first I was on the fence on just how much I would get out of the existing book. With the release of Programming Entity Framework: Code First I knew I'd learn something, so I picked up an electronic copy (PDF) and started digging in.

First, I should mention that I initially started working with Entity Framework via existing databases. I tried the pre-4 version, but ultimately tried to stay away until EF4 was released. I liked the Visual Studio interface to work with a database via EF, and created one site, still in production, that uses it, but I like being closer to the metal.

With the release of EF Code First I started digging in immediately, using it to create functionality on one site already in production, and most recently started working on another site, for eventual release into production. However, on this latter site I was working with more advanced models and kept running into weird EF issues.

After a few chapters in Programming Entity Framework: Code First I had determined what my issue was, and how to fix it, which alone is worth the price. In addition, while I understood data annotations, I now have a pretty firm grasp on what I can do via the Fluent API, and how I can better control what EF does when it creates the database to store my model.

The size of the book may initially throw you off, but I honestly believe that this book contains as much material as a book almost twice the size. In addition, while I came into the book having already worked with Entity Framework, and code first, I believe this book can easily be picked up by someone new to both technologies. Also, while the 'first' book is referred to within this book, having read it is not necessary.

Julia Lerman will be releasing another book, Programming Entity Framework: DbContext, and I will honestly be picking that book up as well. At this point, however, I'm still on the fence on whether I'll be picking up the 'primary' book, Programming Entity Framework, but I'm sure at some point I will, as I believe it will still be beneficial.

This book will definitely have select chapters read again, and will serve as a good reference, so I give this book 5 of 5 stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tutorial/reference on modern EF development using Code First May 24, 2012

By Björn

Format:Paperback

I was initially quite skeptical about the content quality of this book, due to poor experience with programming EF 2ed;
However, this one is surprisingly well organized & well written, with extremely lucid explannations of key concepts using good examples. Well done!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 star read - but no index March 28, 2012

By Mr. Matthew J. Caton

Format:Paperback

Just a quick note to point out this book has no index. It is however comparatively short and very well structured and hence its within reason to read it end-to-end. Until you have made it to the end however, the lack of an index makes it hard to just get on and code.
5 Stars none-the-less - its by Julia Lerman so would expect no less.