Entity Framework Vs Entity Framework Core

 The main differences between Entity Framework (EF) and Entity Framework Core (EF Core) stem from their architectural changes, cross-platform support, performance improvements, and additional features. Below are the key distinctions:

1. Platform Support:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • Primarily designed to run on the .NET Framework, which is Windows-only.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • Cross-platform: Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It runs on the .NET Core platform and .NET 5+.

2. Architecture:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • EF is tightly coupled with the .NET Framework and its libraries.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • EF Core is a rebuild of the original EF, designed to be lightweight and more modular. It is based on .NET Core and allows for greater flexibility, including easier integration with non-.NET technologies.

3. Performance:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • EF had performance issues, particularly with large datasets or complex queries.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • EF Core is generally faster than EF, thanks to a more efficient query pipeline, optimizations in database access, and better memory usage.

4. Features:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • Full support for features like Lazy Loading, Complex Types, Stored Procedures, and Model First (designing database schema in the model).
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • EF Core introduced several new features but also lacks some features from the older EF version (though many of these have been reintroduced or are in progress). For example:
    • Support for SQL Server, SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.
    • No Lazy Loading by default (but it can be enabled).
    • Better support for LINQ queries, Global Query Filters, and In-memory database.
    • It now supports many-to-many relationships directly, unlike EF which needed manual mapping.
    • Migration system is more flexible.
    • No Model First or Database First support initially (though EF Core now supports some of it).

5. Database Providers:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • Limited to the SQL Server provider.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • Multiple database providers are available, including SQL Server, SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and even non-relational databases like Cosmos DB.

6. Migrations:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • Migrations in EF work based on database schema and model synchronization.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • Migrations are better structured and easier to manage in EF Core, especially for modern application requirements.
  • Command-line tools in EF Core make database migrations more manageable.

7. Community and Updates:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • EF is in a maintenance-only phase and is not receiving new major updates. It primarily supports applications that are still using .NET Framework.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • EF Core is actively developed and has a strong community around it, with regular updates and new features being added.

8. Compatibility and Support:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • Only supports .NET Framework projects, meaning it’s tied to older .NET versions.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • Works with both .NET Core and .NET 5+, making it suitable for modern applications.

9. Query Capabilities:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • Has robust querying capabilities, but some features were not as optimized as in EF Core.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • More optimized LINQ queries and better SQL generation.

10. Backward Compatibility:

• Entity Framework (EF):
  • EF works with older .NET Framework projects but is limited in functionality compared to EF Core.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core):
  • Not backward compatible with EF (especially when migrating from EF 6.x to EF Core).

Summary:

• Entity Framework (EF) is a mature ORM that was built for the .NET Framework and is more feature-rich in some areas but lacks the flexibility and performance improvements of EF Core.
• Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a modern, cross-platform ORM that is faster, more modular, and supports a wider variety of databases and deployment scenarios, but it is still catching up with certain features found in EF.

If you're developing new applications or migrating to .NET Core or .NET 5+, EF Core is generally the preferred choice. If you're working with legacy .NET Framework applications, EF may still be the better option.