EF7

EF7, short for Entity Framework 7, refers to a version in the Entity Framework Core family, a data access library for the .NET platform. EF Core provides an object-relational mapper (ORM) that allows developers to work with relational and other databases using .NET objects. It handles change tracking, constructs and executes queries via Language Integrated Query (LINQ), and supports database migrations to evolve schemas as applications change.

EF Core 7 was released by Microsoft as part of the EF Core series and represents the seventh major release in the EF Core lineage. It is designed to run on modern .NET runtimes and receives ongoing support from Microsoft and the .NET community. The project is open source under the Apache License 2.0 and is maintained within the .NET Foundation, with source code available on GitHub.

In terms of capabilities, EF7 focuses on performance and scalability improvements, enhanced query translation, and stronger integration with database providers. It broadens support for migrations, asynchronous data access patterns, and compatibility with a range of databases through providers. Commonly used databases include SQL Server, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MySQL, along with other providers contributed by the community or commercial vendors.

EF7 supports both code-first and database-first workflows, along with features such as change tracking, relationship mapping, and various loading strategies (lazy, eager, and explicit loading). It is cross-platform and integrates with ASP.NET Core and other .NET applications. While offering a comprehensive data access solution, developers should verify provider-specific capabilities and any limitations for their target database when upgrading to or adopting EF7.