Entity Framework Core (EF Core) vs. Dapper

Overview

• EF Core: An Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) that allows developers to work with databases using .NET objects. It abstracts much of the database interaction, providing a higher-level API.
• Dapper: A micro ORM that focuses on performance and simplicity. It offers a lightweight way to execute SQL queries and map results to .NET objects.

Performance

• Dapper: Generally faster than EF Core for raw SQL execution due to its minimal overhead. Ideal for applications where performance is critical.
• EF Core: While it has improved performance over previous versions of Entity Framework, it may still be slower than Dapper, especially for complex queries.

Ease of Use

• EF Core: Provides a higher level of abstraction, making it easier for developers to work with databases without writing SQL. It supports LINQ queries, which many find intuitive.
• Dapper: Requires more SQL knowledge as it relies on raw SQL queries. However, it’s straightforward for those familiar with SQL and offers flexibility.

Features

• EF Core:

  • Supports change tracking, lazy loading, and migrations.
  • Offers a rich set of features for managing relationships between entities.
  • Good for complex data models and scenarios where you need to manage state.

• Dapper:

  • Lightweight and focused on performance.
  • Excellent for simple CRUD operations and scenarios where you want fine-grained control over SQL execution.
  • Does not include built-in change tracking or migrations.

Use Cases

• EF Core: Best suited for applications with complex data models, where you benefit from features like change tracking and relationships. Ideal for enterprise-level applications that require maintainability.

• Dapper: Great for microservices, high-performance applications, or situations where you need to execute many custom SQL queries. It’s also useful in legacy systems where existing SQL is prevalent.

Community & Support

• EF Core: Backed by Microsoft, with extensive documentation, community support, and regular updates.
• Dapper: Open-source and widely used in the .NET community, but with less formal support compared to EF Core.

Pros of Entity Framework

1. Productivity: With its high-level abstractions and features, EF can significantly speed up development.
2. Maintainability: Code is generally cleaner and easier to understand due to the use of objects rather than raw SQL.
3. Built-in Features: Migrations, change tracking, and lazy loading reduce the amount of manual work required.

Cons of Entity Framework

1. Performance Overhead: EF can be slower than raw SQL or lightweight ORMs due to its abstraction layers.
2. Complexity: For simple queries or operations, EF may feel overly complicated.
3. Learning Curve: New developers may find it challenging to grasp all of EF’s features.

Pros of Dapper

1. Performance: Dapper is known for its speed, often outperforming EF in raw data retrieval scenarios.
2. Simplicity: With a straightforward API, Dapper is easy to learn and use for executing SQL queries.
3. Control: Developers have full control over their SQL, allowing for optimization and fine-tuning.

Cons of Dapper

1. Less Abstraction: While this can be an advantage, it also means more boilerplate code for CRUD operations.
2. No Built-in Features: Dapper lacks advanced features like change tracking and lazy loading out of the box.
3. Manual Mapping: Developers may need to write more code to map complex objects or relationships. Benchmarking Example

Consider a simple scenario where you need to retrieve a list of users from a database:

• Entity Framework:

  using (var context = new MyDbContext())
  {
      var users = context.Users.ToList();
  }

• Dapper:

 using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
  {
      var users = connection.Query<User>("SELECT * FROM Users").ToList();
  }

Conclusion

Choosing between EF Core and Dapper largely depends on your project requirements:

• Choose for EF Core if you need a feature-rich ORM with built-in capabilities for managing relationships and state.
• Choose Dapper if performance is paramount or if you prefer writing raw SQL for maximum control.

Both tools have their merits, and in some cases, they can even be used together within the same application, leveraging the strengths of each where appropriate!

Happy coding! 🚀