Part 2. Entity Framework in depth

Part 1 showed how you might build an application by using EF Core. Part 2 covers how to configure EF Core exactly the way you need it, and introduces you to advanced features that can make your software more efficient in both development and performance terms. Part 2 is more of a reference section that covers each part of EF Core in detail, but hopefully not in a boring way.

Chapter 6 introduces the way that EF Core configures itself when it’s first used so that you know where and how to apply any of your own EF Core configurations. The chapter focuses on nonrelational properties, with types such as int, string, and DateTime. If you need to link to an existing database, this chapter tells you how to set specific table and column names.

Chapter 7 shows how EF Core finds and configures relationships. EF Core does a good job of configuring most relationships for you, but it does need help on some, and you’ll want to configure others because EF Core’s default settings don’t suit your needs. You’ll also look at handling groups of classes that inherit from each other and learn useful features of EF Core implementations.

Chapter 8 covers more-advanced configurable features, such as defining computed columns in your database and catching and handling concurrent updates of the database. You’ll use these features in only certain circumstances, but you should know they’re there in case you need them.