As the .NET ecosystem continues to evolve, each new release brings powerful features and improvements that empower developers to build more efficient, scalable, and maintainable applications. With the advent of .NET 9, Entity Framework Core (EF Core) has received significant enhancements that streamline data access and improve overall performance. In this blog post, we'll delve into the latest updates in EF Core with .NET 9, exploring how these changes can elevate your development experience with practical C# examples.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to EF Core in .NET 9
- Performance Boosts
- Enhanced LINQ Capabilities
- Improved Migrations
- Advanced Query Tracking
- Better Support for JSON Columns
- Seamless Integration with Azure
- Conclusion
Introduction to EF Core in .NET 9
Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a widely-used Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework for .NET applications, enabling developers to work with a database using .NET objects. With .NET 9, EF Core introduces a suite of enhancements aimed at improving performance, expanding functionality, and simplifying the developer experience. Whether you're building a small application or a large-scale enterprise system, these updates can significantly impact your development workflow.
Performance Boosts
One of the standout improvements in EF Core with .NET 9 is the substantial performance enhancements. The EF Core team has optimized query generation and execution, resulting in faster data retrieval and reduced latency. These optimizations are particularly noticeable in scenarios involving complex queries and large datasets.
Key Performance Improvements:
- Query Compilation: Enhanced query compilation time reduces the overhead associated with dynamic query generation.
- Batching Operations: Improved batching of SQL commands minimizes round-trips to the database, enhancing overall throughput.
- Caching Enhancements: Better caching mechanisms for compiled queries and model information decrease memory usage and increase speed.
Example: Optimized Query Execution
using (var context = new ApplicationDbContext())
{
var users = await context.Users
.Where(u => u.IsActive)
.ToListAsync();
}
With the performance boosts in .NET 9, the above query executes more efficiently, ensuring quicker response times and better resource management.
Enhanced LINQ Capabilities
Language Integrated Query (LINQ) is a powerful feature of EF Core that allows developers to write database queries using C# syntax. In .NET 9, EF Core extends LINQ’s capabilities, enabling more complex and efficient queries.
New LINQ Features:
- Advanced Filtering: Support for intricate filtering conditions directly within LINQ queries.
- Optimized Joins: Improved handling of join operations, resulting in more efficient SQL translation and execution.
- Asynchronous LINQ Methods: Enhanced support for asynchronous operations, allowing for non-blocking data access patterns.
Example: Advanced Filtering with LINQ
var activeUsers = await context.Users
.Where(u => u.IsActive && u.LastLoginDate > DateTime.UtcNow.AddDays(-30))
.ToListAsync();
This enhanced filtering allows for more nuanced queries, enabling developers to retrieve precisely the data they need with improved performance.
Improved Migrations
Database migrations are essential for evolving your database schema alongside your application. EF Core in .NET 9 introduces several improvements to make migrations more reliable and easier to manage.
Migration Enhancements:
- Automatic Detect Changes: Enhanced detection of model changes reduces the likelihood of migration discrepancies.
- Custom Migration Scripts: Greater flexibility in writing custom SQL for migrations, allowing for precise control over schema changes.
- Dependency Improvements: Better handling of migration dependencies ensures smoother upgrade paths and reduces conflicts.
Example: Creating a Custom Migration Script
dotnet ef migrations add AddBirthDateToUsers
public partial class AddBirthDateToUsers : Migration
{
protected override void Up(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
{
migrationBuilder.AddColumn<DateTime>(
name: "BirthDate",
table: "Users",
type: "datetime2",
nullable: true);
}
protected override void Down(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
{
migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
name: "BirthDate",
table: "Users");
}
}
With improved migration tools, managing schema changes becomes more straightforward and less error-prone.
Advanced Query Tracking
Tracking changes to entities is a core feature of EF Core, allowing for efficient updates and state management. .NET 9 brings advanced query tracking capabilities that offer more control and flexibility.
Query Tracking Updates:
- Split Queries Optimization: Improved support for split queries enhances performance by optimizing how related data is loaded.
- Change Tracking Strategies: New strategies for managing change tracking in high-volume applications improve scalability and responsiveness.
- Snapshot Improvements: Enhanced snapshotting mechanisms for entity states provide more reliable change detection and concurrency handling.
Example: Using No-Tracking Queries for Read-Only Operations
var products = await context.Products
.AsNoTracking()
.Where(p => p.Stock > 0)
.ToListAsync();
Using AsNoTracking enhances performance for read-only operations by disabling change tracking.
Better Support for JSON Columns
Modern applications often leverage JSON data within relational databases for flexibility and scalability. EF Core in .NET 9 offers improved support for JSON columns, making it easier to work with semi-structured data.
JSON Support Features:
- Native JSON Mapping: Seamless mapping of JSON columns to .NET objects without custom converters.
- Querying JSON Data: Enhanced LINQ support for querying within JSON fields.
- Indexing JSON Fields: Improved indexing options for JSON columns, boosting query performance and efficiency.
Example: Mapping JSON Columns to .NET Objects
public class Order
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string CustomerName { get; set; }
public OrderDetails Details { get; set; }
}
public class OrderDetails
{
public string ShippingAddress { get; set; }
public List<OrderItem> Items { get; set; }
}
protected override void OnModelCreating(ModelBuilder modelBuilder)
{
modelBuilder.Entity<Order>()
.Property(o => o.Details)
.HasConversion(
v => JsonSerializer.Serialize(v, null),
v => JsonSerializer.Deserialize<OrderDetails>(v, null));
}
With native JSON mapping, handling complex data structures becomes more straightforward.
Seamless Integration with Azure
As cloud-native development becomes increasingly prevalent, seamless integration with cloud services is paramount. EF Core in .NET 9 offers improved integration with Azure, providing developers with tools to build scalable and resilient applications.
Azure Integration Enhancements:
- Azure SQL Enhancements: Optimized support for Azure SQL Database features.
- Azure Cosmos DB Integration: Improved compatibility with Azure Cosmos DB.
- Deployment Tools: Enhanced deployment tools for Azure.
Example: Configuring EF Core with Azure SQL
public class ApplicationDbContext : DbContext
{
protected override void OnConfiguring(DbContextOptionsBuilder optionsBuilder)
{
var connectionString = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_SQL_CONNECTION_STRING");
optionsBuilder.UseSqlServer(connectionString, options =>
options.EnableRetryOnFailure());
}
public DbSet<User> Users { get; set; }
}
This seamless integration ensures efficient and secure data access in cloud applications.
Conclusion
The enhancements in Entity Framework Core with .NET 9 mark a significant step forward in the evolution of .NET development. From performance optimizations and advanced LINQ capabilities to improved migrations and seamless cloud integration, these updates provide developers with the tools they need to build robust, efficient, and scalable applications.
Ready to Upgrade?
If you're considering migrating to .NET 9, now is the perfect time to explore these EF Core enhancements and integrate them into your projects. Stay tuned for more updates and deep dives into the latest in .NET and EF Core! Happy coding!
Top comments (1)
Hi Leandro Veiga,
Very nice and helpful !
Thanks for sharing.