Dapper vs Entity Framework Core vs ADO.NET

The comparison between Dapper, Entity Framework Core, and ADO.NET in the context of .NET database access reveals the following key points:

1. ADO.NET:

   • It is a low-level technology, providing fine-grained control over database operations.
   • Widely used in .NET applications for a long time but requires writing a significant amount of code for database interaction.
   • Supports direct SQL queries for enhanced control over performance.

2. Entity Framework Core:

   • High-level ORM tool built on ADO.NET, easing database interaction by abstracting operations.
   • Supports multiple database providers and offers features like automatic schema migration, query translation, and change tracking.
   • Supports LINQ for query writing in C# instead of SQL, enhancing ease of use.

3. Dapper:

   • Micro ORM built for speed and efficiency, providing a lightweight and fast way to work with databases.
   • Built on top of ADO.NET, it offers a simple API for database operations, ideal for scenarios where performance is critical.
   • Allows flexibility for writing SQL queries and mapping results to any class or structure.

Key Comparisons:

• Performance: Dapper is generally faster than ADO.NET and significantly quicker than Entity Framework Core due to its optimized design.
• Ease of Use: EF Core provides a high-level API that abstracts database operations, making it easier to work with. Dapper requires writing SQL queries but is generally straightforward.
• Features: EF Core offers a wide range of features, while Dapper provides speed and flexibility but lacks some high-level features.
• Flexibility: Dapper is the most flexible, enabling direct SQL query writing and result mapping. EF Core and ADO.NET have limitations in terms of flexibility.

Choosing the right tool depends on project requirements:

• Use Dapper for lightweight and fast database operations.
• Employ EF Core for a high-level API and extensive features.
• Opt for ADO.NET if fine-grained control over database operations is essential.

In conclusion, the choice of tool should align with the specific project needs, considering the trade-offs between performance, ease of use, features, and flexibility. Each tool offers pros and cons, and the decision should be based on the particular requirements of the application.

Explain Generic Repository Design Pattern

A generic repository is a software design pattern commonly used in object-oriented programming to provide a generic interface for accessing data from a database or other data sources. It abstracts the underlying data access code and provides a set of common operations that can be performed on entities within a data source.

The generic repository pattern typically consists of a generic interface, such as ‘IGenericRepository’, which defines common CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations that can be performed on entities. It also includes a generic implementation of the repository interface, such as ‘GenericRepository<T>’, which provides the concrete implementation of those operations.

Here's an example of a generic repository interface:

public interface IGenericRepository<T>
{
    T GetById(int id);
    IEnumerable<T> GetAll();
    void Add(T entity);
    void Update(T entity);
    void Delete(T entity);
}
  

And here's an example of a generic repository implementation using Entity Framework in C#:

public class GenericRepository<T> : IGenericRepository<T> where T : class
{
    private readonly DbContext _context;
    private readonly DbSet<T> _dbSet;

    public GenericRepository(DbContext context)
    {
        _context = context;
        _dbSet = context.Set<T>();
    }

    public T GetById(int id)
    {
        return _dbSet.Find(id);
    }

    public IEnumerable<T> GetAll()
    {
        return _dbSet.ToList();
    }

    public void Add(T entity)
    {
        _dbSet.Add(entity);
        _context.SaveChanges();
    }

    public void Update(T entity)
    {
        _context.Entry(entity).State = EntityState.Modified;
        _context.SaveChanges();
    }

    public void Delete(T entity)
    {
        _dbSet.Remove(entity);
        _context.SaveChanges();
    }
}
  

By using a generic repository, you can avoid writing repetitive data access code for each entity in your application and promote code reusability. However, it's worth noting that the generic repository pattern may not be suitable for every scenario and should be evaluated based on the specific requirements and complexity of your application.