what is linq linq to sql and entity framework?

Question

Im very very very confused between linq linq to sql and entity framework :( Thanks in Advance

Vulpes · Answer

These brief notes may help you to differentiate them: (a) LINQ which is short for 'language integrated query' is a C#/VB language feature which in combination with certain classes in the .NET framework enables us to write type-safe queries over local collections and remote data sources. It includes amongst other technologies : LINQ to Objects LINQ to XML LINQ to SQL and the Entity Framework. (b) LINQ to SQL which only works with SQL Server uses an object relational mapping between .NET classes and database tables. Queries are based on LINQ rather than native SQL (under the hood the former are translated to the latter). (c) Entity framework (EF) also uses an object relational mapping but instead of querying classes which represent database tables you query a higher level abstraction known as the 'entity data model'. There's also a provider model which enables you to use other databases than Sql Server.

what is linq, linq to sql and entity framework?