Model-First
New Entity Developer provides advanced Model First support for both Entity Framework 1 and 4, for LinqConnect, and for LINQ to SQL. Model First approach implementation in Entity Developer offers automatic synchronization of mapping and storage part with the conceptual part of the model and easy to use wizards for synchronizing database with the model.
- Synchronizing Database with the Model
Entity Developer offers you two options for creating database based on your model. You may either generate a create script, that creates a new database, or use Update to Database Wizard that synchronizes an existing database with the model. This wizard makes only necessary changes to the database and retain the data if possible. Even changes inside entity are detected and resulted in ALTER statements, the table doesn't need to be dropped and created again. The wizard displays the tree of the changed objects and their changes, allowing you to choose which database objects need to be synchronized with the model, specify the renamed objects, etc. - Mapping Synchronization
When automatic mapping synchronization is enabled, changes to the conceptual model are automatically applied to its mapping and storage part. For example, when you add a class to the conceptual part, a corresponding table is created in the storage part, and the class is automatically mapped to this table. Even the most complex conceptual part changes are supported - complex types, many-to-many associations, complex hierarchies. All these changes can be automatically reflected in the storage part. However you may make manual changes to the storage part, and they will be preserved when editing conceptual part.
Updating Model from Database
Update From Database Wizard was the most demanded feature at our UserVoice forum. The opinion of our users is important to us, so this feature was implemented in Entity Developer 3.00 as soon as possible.
Update From Database Wizard allows synchronizing your model with the database for Entity Framework, LinqConnect, and LINQ to SQL in a fast and convenient way. Unlike standard Visual Studio Update Wizard, Entity Developer Update From Database Wizard tries to preserve manual changes to the model where possible. The wizard detects all the database changes that can affect the model, e.g. created and deleted tables and views, their columns and foreign keys, column datatype changes, created and deleted stored procedures and functions, changes to their parameters etc.
You are welcome to download Entity Developer here.
If you wish to provide feedback on the new version, you can do it in our forums or with contact form. There is also a feedback form, and we are always glad to hear your comments and take into account your development needs.
If you want to share your ideas about new Entity Developer features, you may do it on the UserVoice. See our blog article for more information.
Devart Development Team
http://www.devart.com/entitydeveloper/