How to Use Entity Framework (EF) Core with PostgreSQL

In the ever-evolving world of .NET applications, integrating databases with frameworks has never been more critical. PostgreSQL stands out for its robustness and flexibility among the many available databases. Combining PostgreSQL with Entity Framework Core (EF Core), a modern object-database mapper for .NET, offers developers a powerful tool for data access and management. This integration not only streamlines development processes but also enhances application performance. In this guide, we'll explore how to effectively use EF Core with PostgreSQL, ensuring you leverage the best of both worlds for your .NET applications.

ADO.NET Entity Framework Core integration with a PostgreSQL database

The integration of ADO.NET Entity Framework Core with PostgreSQL provides a seamless bridge between your .NET applications and PostgreSQL databases. This framework supports versions 6, 7 and 8, offering developers a variety of features tailored for efficient data management. The Entity Framework's architecture enables developers to work with data using domain-specific objects, eliminating the need for most data-access code. Understanding how Entity Framework interacts with PostgreSQL will help you harness its full potential, streamlining your database operations and boosting your application's efficiency.

Key features of Entity Framework Core 8

EF Core 8 represents a significant advancement in the .NET data access technology landscape, especially when used in conjunction with PostgreSQL. This version introduces a set of new features and improvements that further streamline database operations and enhance developer productivity. Here are some of the key features of EF Core 8 that are particularly beneficial for PostgreSQL users:

• Complex types support
• Enhanced LINQ capabilities
• Interceptors and diagnostics
• Improved migrations experience
• Raw SQL queries for unmapped types

Choosing the right PostgreSQL provider

EF simplifies data access and manipulation tasks thanks to its versatility, enhancing productivity and maintainability in .NET applications. It is important to understand how ADO.NET Entity Framework interacts with MySQL databases, including versions 6 or 7, especially for developers aiming to leverage the capabilities of both
technologies effectively.

ADO.NET Entity Framework Workflow

Selecting the appropriate PostgreSQL provider is important for maximizing the performance and compatibility of your EF Core applications. The provider serves as the bridge between EF Core and your PostgreSQL database, impacting how effectively your application communicates with the database. When choosing your provider, consider factors such as support for the latest EF Core and PostgreSQL versions, performance optimization,
and community support.

How to work with PostgreSQL in .NET applications

dotConnect for PostgreSQL offers two main methods for installation, allowing developers to choose the one that best fits their development environment:

Step 1: Install via the NuGet package

1. Launch Visual Studio, ensuring that you have administrative privileges if necessary.

2. Navigate to the NuGet Package Manager by right-clicking on the project in Solution Explorer and selecting Manage NuGet Packages.

3. In the NuGet Package Manager, switch to the Browse tab and search for Devart.Data.PostgreSql.EFCore.

4. Find the package and click Install. Confirm the installation to add the package to your project.

5. This package includes support for Entity Framework Core along with Devart's enhanced SQL functionality and advanced ORM features.

Step 2: Activate a trial or license

After installing the NuGet package, proceed to activate the trial version or enter your license:

1. Visit the dotConnect for PostgreSQL download page.

2. Download the dcpostgresql.exe installer.

3. Execute the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install dotConnect for PostgreSQL on your machine.

This process not only installs dotConnect for PostgreSQL but also ensures that all features are activated and available for use in your project. Also, please note that registered users download the non-trial version, but the full version from their account.

Using Entity Developer for a model creation

To create your model using the Database First approach as outlined by Devart's Entity Developer, follow these steps:

1. In the Solution Explorer window, right-click the name of your project.

2. From the shortcut menu, select the Add command and select the New Item option. In projects, targeting .NET Framework, you can find Devart EF Core Model in the Visual C# Items -> Data node. In projects, targeting .NET Core or .NET Standard, you can find Devart EF Core Model in the Visual C# Items -> ASP.NET Core -> Data node.

3. In the Installed Templates column of the Add New Item window, select Data.

4. In the central column of the Add New Item window, select Devart Entity Framework Core Model. In the standalone application in the displayed New Model dialog select Devart Entity Framework Core Model
and click Add.

5. After selecting the desired database objects, proceed to generate the model. Entity Developer will create an Entity Framework compatible model based on the database schema, including entity classes and a DbContext.

6. Once the model is generated, integrate it into your Visual Studio project. This provides the basis for performing database operations using Entity Framework Core.

For more detailed instructions with screenshots, check our documentation.

Inserting new data into PostgreSQL

1. In your code, instantiate the entity class representing the table you want to insert data into.

var newRecord = new YourEntity { Property1 = "Value1", Property2 = "Value2" };

2. Use the Add method of your context to track the new entity.

using (var context = new YourDbContext())
{
 context.YourEntity.Add(newRecord);
 context.SaveChanges();
}

3. Call the SaveChanges method to insert the new record into your PostgreSQL database.

Updating PostgreSQL data

1. Find the entity in your database using the context. For example:

using (var context = new YourDbContext())
{
 var entityToUpdate = context.YourEntity.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == yourId);
}

2. Modify the properties of the entity as needed.

if (entityToUpdate != null)
{
 entityToUpdate.Property1 = "NewValue";
 // Make other changes as needed
}

3. Call SaveChanges to update the record in the database.

Deleting data from PostgreSQL

1. Find the entity using your context. For example:

using (var context = new YourDbContext())
{
 var entityToDelete = context.YourEntity.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == yourId);
}

2. Use the Remove method if the entity exists.

if (entityToDelete != null)
{
 context.YourEntity.Remove(entityToDelete);
 context.SaveChanges();
}

3. Calling SaveChanges will delete the record from your PostgreSQL database.

Deploying an Entity Framework Core project

Deploying your EF Core project involves several actions:

1. Before deploying, make a backup of your production database. This ensures that you can restore the previous state if something goes wrong during the deployment.

2. Apply the EF Core migrations to your production database. You can do this manually or through automated deployment pipelines.

3. Deploy your application to the production environment. Depending on your hosting setup, this could be through direct file copy, FTP, Git, CI/CD pipelines, etc.

4. Use a blue-green deployment or rolling update strategy to minimize downtime if possible.

After deployment, monitor the application for performance issues and errors. Use logging and monitoring tools to stay informed about its condition.

Conclusion

Integrating Entity Framework Core with PostgreSQL enhances your .NET applications, providing a robust, efficient, and flexible data management solution.

Following this guide, you can leverage the full potential of both technologies, leading to more productive development experiences and more powerful applications.