Use ADO.NET Entity Data Model in ASP.Net Scaffolding

Introduction

The ADO.NET Entity Data Model designer provide a Graphical User Interface tool to design the Entity Framework Models. We'll create and modify the entities, associations and inheritance relationships with the Entity Designer and we can also validate the model.

In that context, we'll today work on this session to create an Entity Model and use it in the application.

So, let's proceed with the following sections:

  • Application Creation
  • Working with Entity Model
  • Working with LocalDb

Application Creation

Create an ASP.NET Web Application in the MVC Project Template in Visual Studio 2013.

Working with Entity Model

Step 1: Just right-click on the Models folder to add an ADO.NET Entity Data Model named College.

Step 2: In the next wizard, select "Entity Model".

Create Entity Model

Step 3: The designer opens a blank model in which we add the entities. Just right-click on the designer to open "Properties".

Data Model Properties

Step 4: Set the Entity Container Name to CollegeDbContext as shown below:

Entity Container Name in Properties

Step 5: Right-click on "Design" then select "Add New" -> "Entity...".

Adding New Entity in DataModel

Step 6: In the next wizard enter the entity name as College and CollegeId as the key column name and click "OK".

Add Entity in Model

Step 7: Right-click on Entity to add a Scalar Property to it.

Adding Scalar Property of Entity

Step 8: Create the Name property also. Now add an another entity name Student and do the same as done above.

Step 9: Now right-click on design then select "Add New" -> "Association...".

Add Association in Entity Model

Step 10: Ensure that your wizard looks as below and click "OK".

Adding Assocaiation of Model

Working with LocalDb

Step 1: Open the Generate Database from Model by right-clicking on the design surface.

Generate Database Model

Step 2: In the next wizard click on New Connection and do as shown below:

Add Connection with LocalDb

Step 3: Click "OK" and if the wizard opens to create a new database, select "Yes".

Step 4: Select "Next" and the designer calculates to create the script of the database schema. Ensure that the Entity Connection Settings in the Web.Config option is checked.

Generate Database Wizard

Step 5: Click on "Finish" and the script opens. Right-click and select "Execute".

Execute Script of Database Schema

Step 6: Build your project. The Entity Designer creates two classes named College and Student and a model is added to your Models folder.

Step 7: You can now use the new ASP.NET Scaffolding as usual for the EDMX generated models. Now you can use your newcontext as a Data Context class while scaffolding as shown below:

Add Controller Scaffolding in MVC

Summary

This article will help you to create an Entity Model using the ADO.NET Model Designer and you can also use the new EDMX models in a ASP.NET Scaffolding. Thanks for reading.

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