New Project Advice

Question

Hi all,

I have been following the developments in the new version of the Entity Framework with great anticipation; it really does seem to be exactly what we want. Now, we are in the very preliminary stages (consultation) of a new project and are about to begin putting together an estimate. I am about to start investigating several technologies to serve the model/logic layer and I would love to get the guys using the new EF for this, but am unsure as to what stage in its development the EF currently sits and am, therefore, not sure if I should even be considering the EF. I know there is a CTP out, but does this precede further Beta releases or the RC? The project would, most likely, not begin development for a couple of months so if there is any chance of a final Beta or RC in this time then I might consider the EF in my estimations.

Any advice you have to offer would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Stephen

Answer 1

Hello Stephen,

The new version of EF is part of the Visual Studio 2010/.NET 4.0 wave, so you can expect the corresponding bits of EF to be included in beta, CTP and RTM versions of Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0. There is a separate vehicle called the Entity Framework Feature CTP that we are using to preview and obtain feedback about new features, some of which we know are not going to be part of the 2010/4.0 release. You can learn more about the evolution of those features in the ADO.NET Team Blog and Entity Framework Design Blog.

I don't have a date for when the next public build is going to be available, but I think should definitively consider EF in your estimations.

Hope this helps,
Diego

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Answer 2

So will the POCO and self tracking template be part of vs2010 or Entity Framework Feature?

Answer 3

Hi Zeeshan,

We are still figuring that out. The original plan, as stated in the announcement for the Feature CTP1, was not to ship them as part of the product. If we change that plan, it will be announced in the same venue.

The templates add a lot of value on top of what we have done in the runtime, so we would like everyone to have them as part of the out-of-the box experience, but the mechanics of releasing a major product such as Visual Studio and the .NET framework put a lot of restrictions on the opportunities to add new feature at this stage. On the bright side, having them in the Feature CTP gives us more chances to get customer feedback and iterate over the design until we eventually get it right (hopefully :) ).

Thanks,
Diego

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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Answer 4

Thanks Diego!

Stephen

Answer 5

Any idea when the feature pack will be refreshed to work with Beta 2?

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Mike Swaim