10 Entity Framework Core Hacks

Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a powerful, lightweight, and extensible Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) for .NET applications. It simplifies data access by abstracting the complexities of working with relational databases, allowing developers to focus on writing application logic rather than dealing with low-level SQL queries. As EF Core continues to evolve, there are numerous lesser-known features and hacks that can significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of developers working with it.

In this article, I will show you 10 amazing Entity Framework Core hacks that you might not have known about. So, let’s get started!

1. Shadow Properties

Shadow Properties are properties that are not defined in your entity class but are included in the Entity Framework Core model. They can be used to store additional information about the entity without altering the entity class itself. Shadow properties can be useful for tracking metadata like “CreatedBy,” “ModifiedBy,” or “ModifiedDate” for an entity.

Defining a Shadow Property

public class ApplicationDbContext : DbContext
{
    public DbSet<Book> Books { get; set; }

    protected override void OnModelCreating(ModelBuilder modelBuilder)
    {…