Code First vs Database First Approach in Entity Framework

When it comes to working with Entity Framework, there are two main approaches: Code First and Database First.

Code First Approach:

In Code First approach, the database schema is generated based on the POCO (Plain Old CLR Object) classes defined in the application code. This means that you define your classes and relationships first, and Entity Framework then creates the corresponding database schema during runtime.

Database First Approach:

On the other hand, Database First approach involves creating the POCO classes based on an existing database schema. Entity Framework generates the classes and relationships based on the database structure, allowing you to work with the database without having to define the model classes manually.

So, in summary, Code First focuses on defining the model classes first and generating the database schema, while Database First involves defining the database schema first and generating the model classes.

Both approaches have their own advantages and are used based on the project requirements and developer preferences.