Pro Entity Framework 4.0

Previously, SQL developers have been able to almost entirely ignore the SQLCLR and treat it as a peripheral technology—almost an extension to the main product. With the advent of LINQ and the Entity Framework, this is no longer the case, and the SQLCLR is moving to the center stage. It’s a powerful product but, for many, it is an entirely new way of working with data. Pro Entity Framework 4.0 will help readers understand the implications of the Entity Framework and how it can be used to change their development practices and make their databases more powerful and flexible. Since many readers will be encountering this subject for the first time, the book will create an inclusive environment in which the concepts of .NET development are approached from the perspective of the Relational T–SQL developer to foster a sense of shared–ownership in keeping with Microsoft’s latest best practices.

• Comprehensive coverage of the new greater and more challenging integration with .NET 3.5
• Written from a real–world perspective and examines the features offered by LINQ and the Entity Framework that will help solve problems experienced by professional developers
• Contains insight, interpretation, analysis, and evangelism instead of just plain fact

• Examine the SQLCLR architecture.
• Learn the fundamentals of LINQ.
• Use LINQ with SQL and datasets.
• Extend LINQ.
• Gain a holistic view of the features of LINQ and the Entity Framework and how they segue with other features of the .NET Framework and native features of the operating system.
• Write practical applications of LINQ and the Entity Framework.

.NET and SQL developers who use Microsoft SQL Server 2008 as their back–end database. Database administrators who create, manage, and secure those databases.

Table of Contents

1. Introducing the ADO.NET 4.0 Entity Framework
2. The Entity Data Model
3. The Entity Data Model Inside and Out
4. Querying the EDM
5. Working with Entities
6. Stored Procedures and the EDM
7. Relationships and Associations
8. T4 Code Generation
9. Model-First Development
10. Code-Only Development
11. N-tier Development with WCF Data Services
12. Performance Tuning and Exception Handling
13. Data Binding with the Entity Framework

The introduction of SQL Server 2005 began the process which has seen .NET become an integral part of the SQL Server database technology. SQL Server 2008 is the next evolutionary step in that story. Alongside the more traditional database enhancements in the new release, there is an increasing focus upon a greater and more challenging integration with .NET 3.5. This book shows how to take advantage of this tight integration and how developers and DBAs can manipulate data more easily than ever before.

Scott Klein is a Microsoft SQL Server MVP and Independent Consultant specializing in SQL Server Performance and Business Intelligence. Scott is the author of several books including Professional SQL Server 2005 XML, Professional LINQ, and Pro ADO.NET 4.0 Entity Framework. He was a contributing author to Pro SQL Server 2008 Relational Database Design and Implementation, as well as to the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Bible. Scott has written many articles for the SQL Server Standard magazine. He holds the MCDBA, MCSD, and MCSE certifications. He is heavily involved in the South Florida community, running two SQL Server User groups and the South Florida SQL Saturday events. Scott also speaks frequently at user groups across South Florida. Scott has nearly 20 years working with SQL Server and consulting in small to enterprise size environments.