Dapper Vs Entity Framework Core

Introduction

Dapper and Entity Framework (EF) Core are popular Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks for .NET. Both frameworks map database objects to .NET objects and vice versa. However, their design and approach differ, making them better suited for different use cases.

This article will compare Dapper and EF Core and provide examples to help you choose the right framework for your project.

What is Dapper?

Dapper is a simple and lightweight ORM framework that allows you to execute SQL queries and map the results to .NET objects. Dapper uses raw SQL queries, which means that you have full control over the SQL that is executed. This makes Dapper fast and efficient, especially when dealing with large datasets. Additionally, Dapper is easy to use and has a small learning curve.

Here’s an example of how you can use Dapper to retrieve a list of customers from a SQL Server database:

using(var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString)) {
    connection.Open();
    var customers = connection.Query < Customer > ("SELECT * FROM Customers");
    return customers.ToList();
}

In this example, we first create a connection to the SQL Server database using the connection string. We then use the Query method to execute the SQL query and map the results to a list of Customer objects. Finally, we return the list of customers.

What is EF Core?

Entity Framework (EF) Core is a full-featured ORM framework providing a high-level abstraction over the database. EF Core allows you to work with databases using LINQ queries, which makes it easy to write and read data from the database. EF Core also supports many databases, including SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite.

Find a detailed article about Entity Framework here- Getting Started with Entity Framework.

Here’s an example of how you can use EF Core to retrieve a list of customers from a SQL Server database.

using(var context = new MyDbContext()) {
    var customers = context.Customers.ToList();
    return customers;
}

In this example, we create a new instance of the MyDbContext class, a subclass of DbContext. We then use the Customers property of the context to retrieve a list of all customers from the database. Finally, we return the list of customers.

Comparison Dapper VS Entity Framework

Dapper and EF Core have different designs and approaches, which makes them better suited for other use cases. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between Dapper and EF Core.

Performance

Dapper is generally faster than EF Core because it uses raw SQL queries and has less overhead. However, EF Core provides caching and other performance optimizations that can sometimes make it faster.

Complexity

Dapper is simpler than EF Core because it uses raw SQL queries and has fewer features. However, EF Core provides a higher-level abstraction over the database and has more features.

Database support

Dapper supports many databases, including SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. However, EF Core supports even more databases, including SQLite, Oracle, and IBM DB2.

Flexibility

Dapper provides more flexibility than EF Core because it allows you to execute raw SQL queries and map the results to .NET objects. However, EF Core provides a more structured approach to data access that can make it easier to work with in larger projects.

Conclusion

Dapper and EF Core are two popular ORM frameworks .NET. Dapper is a simple and lightweight ORM framework that allows you to execute SQL queries and map the results to .NET objects. EF Core is a full-featured ORM framework that provides a high-level abstraction over the database and supports many databases. When choosing between Dapper and EF Core, consider factors such as performance, complexity, database support, and flexibility.