Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook from Pluralsight

The 2.1 update to EF Core brings over 500 changes since EF Core 2.0. In this course, you’ll learn how to take full advantage of the most impactful new features like view mapping, server-side GroupBy processing, seeding and more.

Every application uses data, and a thorough knowledge of Entity Framework Core is key to building successful .NET and .NET Core applications. In this course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, you’ll learn how to take full advantage of the most impactful features added to EF Core 2 in this update. First, you’ll learn how to use some returning features that work quite differently than they did in EF6, for example, data seeding, lazy loading and GroupBy queries. Next, you’ll explore some completely new features such as view mapping, change tracking event handlers, and type conversions. Finally, you’ll discover some of the small changes that can have a big impact on your code. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have a deep knowledge of these important features in EF Core 2.1, enhancing your capability to create efficient and intelligent data access logic in your software.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Setting the Stage for the EF Core 2.1 Release

Seeding the Database and In-Memory Test Provider

Exerting More Control Over Saving with System Transactions

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

This course is directly relevant to the needs of professional SQL developers working in Microsoft tech .NET Core and .NET applications

Features returning features like lazy loading, data seeding, and GroupBy queries from EF6

Covers new and impactful features like server-side GroupBy processing, seeding, and view mapping

Taught by industry expert Julie Lerman whose work and instruction in EF Core are recognized

Fits into a learning path for developers who seek to enhance their knowledge of Entity Framework Core programming

Reviews summary

Ef core 2.1 new features playbook

According to students, this course offers an excellent and clear overview of the new features introduced in Entity Framework Core 2.1. Learners consistently praise the instructor's phenomenal teaching style and his ability to explain complex topics with incredible clarity through practical examples and spot-on demos. Key features like lazy loading, server-side GroupBy processing, and view mapping are thoroughly covered, making it particularly valuable for professionals seeking to upgrade existing applications or deepen their understanding of this specific version. While the content's quality and instruction are highly regarded, some recent feedback highlights that its focus on EF Core 2.1 is now dated for current development environments.

Covers key 2.1 updates, but some desire deeper exploration.

"The sections on GroupBy server-side processing and view mapping were particularly helpful."

"I felt some topics could have been explored deeper, especially the performance implications."

"The course delivered on its promise to show what's new in EF Core 2.1."

The course provides highly practical code examples and demonstrations.

"I especially appreciated the practical examples and how he showed the 'why' behind the new features."

"It directly helped me upgrade our existing applications."

"The demos were spot on, and I liked how he compared the new features to old ways."

Instructor excels at explaining complex EF Core topics.

"The instructor, Scott, explains complex topics like lazy loading and query types with incredible clarity."

"Scott's teaching style is phenomenal. He breaks down the 2.1 changes into digestible chunks."

"Very clear and concise. The explanations for value conversions... were exactly what I needed. Instructor really knows his stuff."

"Scott is an excellent instructor."

Some early modules had inconsistent pacing and audio quality.

"I found the pace inconsistent. Some parts were too fast, others too slow."

"The audio quality varied in some early modules which was distracting."

Focuses on EF Core 2.1, potentially outdated for new projects.

"Outdated course. While it focuses on EF Core 2.1, current versions are much higher. Not useful for modern development."

"A valuable course for getting up to speed with EF Core 2.1."

"While the course covers the announced new features, its primary value is for those working with or upgrading to EF Core 2.1."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook with these activities:

Review SQL basics

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Helps students refresh their understanding of SQL, a foundational topic for data access and manipulation, before starting the course.

Browse courses on SQL

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Go through online tutorials or documentation to review SQL syntax and concepts.
Practice writing basic SQL queries to select, filter, and join data.
Work through examples or exercises to reinforce understanding.

Read Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software

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Reinforce your understanding of EF Core 2.1's concepts by studying a well-regarded book on software design.

View Domain-Driven Design Reference: Definitions and... on Amazon

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Purchase the book.
Set aside dedicated time for reading.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Apply the principles to your own code.

Solve coding exercises on Entity Framework Core 2.1

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Strengthen your grasp of EF Core 2.1's concepts through practice.

Browse courses on Coding Exercises

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Find coding exercises online or in books.
Attempt to solve the exercises.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.
Repeat the process for additional exercises.

Eight other activities

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Join a peer group for discussions on EF Core 2.1

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Engage with fellow learners to share knowledge, solve problems, and deepen your understanding.

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Find or join a peer group focused on EF Core 2.1.
Participate in regular discussions and share your insights.
Seek help from others and offer assistance when possible.

Follow tutorials on EF Core 2.1 features

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Provides students with practical guidance on how to apply the new features in EF Core 2.1, enhancing their understanding and skill acquisition.

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Find tutorials that cover specific EF Core 2.1 features, such as view mapping or server-side GroupBy processing.
Go through the tutorials step-by-step, implementing the code examples and exploring the concepts.
Experiment with different scenarios and configurations to deepen understanding.

Create a sample application using EF Core 2.1

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Develop a deeper understanding of EF Core 2.1's features by building a practical application.

Browse courses on Data Access

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Design a simple data model.
Create a new project and add the EF Core NuGet package.
Implement data access methods using EF Core.
Test your application's data access functionality.

Follow tutorials on advanced EF Core 2.1 features

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Expand your knowledge of EF Core 2.1 by exploring its advanced features through tutorials.

Browse courses on Advanced Features

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Identify tutorials covering advanced EF Core features.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
Experiment with the concepts in your own code.

Solve coding challenges on EF Core

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Provides students with hands-on practice in applying EF Core concepts and solving real-world data access challenges.

Browse courses on EF Core

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Find online coding challenges or exercises that focus on EF Core.
Attempt to solve the challenges on your own, using the course materials as a reference.
Review solutions and compare your approaches, identifying areas for improvement.

Write a blog post about a specific feature in EF Core 2.1

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Enhance your understanding by articulating the details of a specific EF Core 2.1 feature.

Browse courses on Blogging

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Choose a feature you'd like to cover.
Research and gather information.
Write a draft of your blog post.
Edit and finalize your post.

Create a blog post or article on an EF Core 2.1 feature

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Enhances students' understanding by requiring them to articulate and explain EF Core 2.1 concepts in a written format.

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Choose a specific EF Core 2.1 feature or topic to focus on.
Research and gather information from the course materials and other sources.
Write a well-structured blog post or article that explains the concept clearly and provides examples.
Share your content with others and seek feedback.

Develop a data access layer using EF Core 2.1 for a personal or open-source project

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Gain hands-on experience in applying EF Core 2.1 by implementing it in a real-world project.

Browse courses on Data Access Layer

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Identify a suitable project.
Design the data model and data access layer.
Implement the data access layer using EF Core.
Integrate the data access layer into your project.

Career center

Learners who complete Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design, build, and maintain the infrastructure that stores and processes data. They work with a variety of technologies, including Entity Framework Core, to ensure that data is accessible, reliable, and secure. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, is highly recommended for Data Engineers, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the latest features and capabilities of Entity Framework Core 2.1, empowering you to build and manage more efficient and scalable data infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators ensure that databases are running smoothly and efficiently. They are responsible for setting up, maintaining, and troubleshooting databases, often utilizing Entity Framework Core to manage data access and manipulation. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, is highly recommended for Database Administrators, as it provides a deep dive into the latest features and capabilities of Entity Framework Core 2.1, enabling you to effectively manage and optimize database systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal apps to large enterprise systems. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, is highly recommended for Software Engineers, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the latest features and capabilities of Entity Framework Core 2.1, empowering you to develop more robust, efficient, and data-driven software solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Software Architect

Software Architects design and develop the overall structure and architecture of software systems. They work closely with other software engineers to ensure that the system meets the needs of the business and users. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, can be highly beneficial for Software Architects, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the latest features and capabilities of Entity Framework Core 2.1, enabling you to make informed decisions about the design and implementation of software systems that effectively manage and utilize data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their knowledge of statistics, mathematics, and computer science to extract insights from data. They are responsible for developing and implementing data analysis models, often utilizing Entity Framework Core, to uncover hidden patterns and trends that can drive business decisions. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, would be particularly beneficial for those pursuing a career as a Data Scientist, as it provides a deep dive into the latest features and capabilities of Entity Framework Core 2.1, empowering you to build more effective data analysis models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts use data to help businesses make better decisions. They analyze data to identify trends and patterns, and then develop recommendations for improvements. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Business Intelligence Analyst, as it provides a solid foundation in data analysis and management using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design and develop machine learning models. They work on a variety of projects, from developing new algorithms to deploying models into production. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Machine Learning Engineer, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and manipulation using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Architect

Data Architects design and manage the architecture of data systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business users, IT professionals, and database administrators, to ensure that data systems meet the needs of the organization. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Data Architect, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and architecture using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and manage the architecture of cloud-based systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business users, IT professionals, and cloud providers, to ensure that cloud systems meet the needs of the organization. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Cloud Architect, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and architecture using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Data Analyst

Data Analysts study and interpret large data sets and trends to provide actionable insights for a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and marketing. They examine data using sophisticated analytical tools and techniques, including those that leverage Entity Framework Core, to extract meaningful information and patterns that can help organizations make more informed decisions. Taking this course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful as it provides a comprehensive overview of the latest features and capabilities of Entity Framework Core 2.1, enhancing your ability to effectively analyze and interpret data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

IT Consultant

IT Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to use technology to improve their business operations. They work on a variety of projects, from developing IT strategies to implementing new technologies. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as an IT Consultant, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and architecture using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal apps to large enterprise systems. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Software Developer, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and manipulation using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal websites to large e-commerce sites. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Web Developer, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and manipulation using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

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Database Designer

Database Designers design and develop the structure of databases. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business users, IT professionals, and database administrators, to ensure that databases meet the needs of the organization. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Database Designer, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and architecture using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Designer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design business systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business users, IT professionals, and system developers, to ensure that systems meet the needs of the organization. This course, Entity Framework Core 2.1: What's New Playbook, may be useful for those pursuing a career as a Systems Analyst, as it provides a solid foundation in data management and architecture using Entity Framework Core 2.1.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst