Overview

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Master Entity Framework Core and build efficient data-driven applications with this comprehensive course. You'll learn how to set up your environment, create and manage data models, interact with databases, and optimize performance using EF Core’s powerful features. Whether you're new to EF Core or looking to refine your skills, this course will guide you through essential concepts and advanced techniques. You'll start with the fundamentals, including installing the necessary tools, setting up projects in Visual Studio, and understanding the database context. Then, you'll dive into querying data using LINQ, tracking changes, and performing CRUD operations. You'll explore database migrations, relationships, and data manipulation strategies to ensure seamless integration with your applications. As you progress, you'll work with raw SQL, stored procedures, and ASP.NET Core integration, gaining practical insights into EF Core’s advanced capabilities. You'll also cover performance optimization techniques, data validation, concurrency handling, and transaction management. These lessons will equip you with the knowledge to handle complex real-world scenarios. This course is ideal for developers, software engineers, and database administrators looking to enhance their .NET data access skills. A basic understanding of C# and relational databases is recommended but not required. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this course will help you harness the full potential of Entity Framework Core.

Syllabus

Introduction

In this module, we will introduce Entity Framework Core, its role in modern .NET development, and why it simplifies database interactions. We will also outline the key topics covered in this course, providing a solid foundation for your learning journey.

Environment Setup

In this module, we will guide you through setting up your development environment for Entity Framework Core. You'll install essential tools, including Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, and .NET Core, ensuring you're fully prepared to start coding with EF Core.

Getting Started with Entity Framework Core

In this module, we will cover the foundational steps of working with Entity Framework Core. You'll learn how to set up a project, define data models, configure a database context, and understand different approaches like Code-First and Database-First development.

Using Entity Framework Core to Query a Database

In this module, we will explore how to use Entity Framework Core to interact with databases through queries. You’ll gain hands-on experience in using LINQ, applying filters, and optimizing performance with different query execution strategies.

Using Entity Framework Core to Manipulate Data

In this module, we will focus on inserting, updating, and deleting records in a database using Entity Framework Core. You'll also explore how EF Core tracks changes and the best practices for saving and modifying data efficiently.

Handling Database Changes and Migrations

In this module, we will dive into handling database schema changes with migrations in Entity Framework Core. You will learn how to add new entities, update databases, generate migration scripts, and revert changes when necessary.

Interacting With Related Records

In this module, we will explore how Entity Framework Core manages relationships between database tables. You will learn to configure relationships, insert related data, and optimize queries for improved performance.

Working With Raw SQL, Views and Stored Procedures

In this module, we will cover how to work with raw SQL, stored procedures, and views within Entity Framework Core. You’ll learn when to use raw SQL for advanced querying while understanding its trade-offs compared to LINQ-based queries.

ASP.NET Core and EF Core

In this module, we will explore how to use Entity Framework Core within an ASP.NET Core application. You'll learn how to connect your project to a database, scaffold models, and implement best practices for web development with EF Core.

Additional Features and Considerations

In this module, we will dive into advanced features and considerations for working with Entity Framework Core. You'll explore data validation, handling concurrency, and enhancing performance with various EF Core functionalities.

Conclusion

In this final module, we will review the core concepts covered in the course and discuss the next steps in mastering Entity Framework Core. You will leave with a solid understanding of how to apply EF Core in real-world projects.