Difference between LINQ to SQL and Entity Framework:

Difference between LINQ to SQL and Entity Framework:

LINQ to SQL:

• It only works with SQL Server Database.
• It generates a .dbml to maintain the relation
• It has not support for complex type.
• It cannot generate database from model.
• It allows only one to one mapping between the entity classes and the relational tables /views.
• It allows you to query data using DataContext.
• It provides a tightly coupled approach.
• It can be used for rapid application development only with SQL Server.

Entity Framework

• It can works with various databases like Oracle, DB2, MYSQL, SQL Server etc.
• It generates an .edmx files initially. The relation is maintained using 3 different files .csdl, .msl and .ssdl
• It has support for complex type.
• It can generate database from model.
• It allows one-to-one, one-to-many & many-to-many mappings between the Entity classes and the relational tables /views
• It allows you to query data using EntitySQL, ObjectContext, DbContext.
• It provides a loosely coupled approach. Since its code first approach allow you to use Dependency Injection pattern which make it loosely coupled .
• It can be used for rapid application development with RDBMS like SQL Server, Oracle, DB2 and MySQL etc.