Entity Framework and Access Database

R4VEN · May 14th, 2011, 09:25 AM

After finishing the Beginners ASP.NET 4 book and buying the Professional ASP.NET 4 book from Wrox I'm still unable to use the Entity Framework due to
using Microsoft Access as my Database.

Is there any method to use the EF with MS Access?

I've tried unsuccessfully to convert the database into an SQL Server .mdf database, I've considered trying to draw the schema in the designer but I'm not sure if it will work.

I've Googled this extensively to no avail.

Imar · May 14th, 2011, 09:41 AM

Hi there,

AFAIK, there is no EF Provider for LINQ. Maybe some third party has created one, but I've never seen it.

Upsizing to a SQL Server database (which you can use with the free Express edition) should be relatively straightforward. Then you can use EF or Linq to SQL...

Cheers,

Imar

R4VEN · May 14th, 2011, 09:47 AM

The person co-ordinating this wants an Access database but he knows ASP classic only so I think I'll push to use a SQL Server database instead.

ASP.NET feels more suited to SQL Server, he wanted my Membership database in Access too but I said no.

Thank you! :D

I'm eyeing off the ASP.NET MVC 2 book, it looks like ASP on Rails from the chapter in the Professional book.

Imar · May 14th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

he wanted my Membership database in Access too but I said no.

You can do it if you want:

http://imar.spaanjaars.com/560/using...under-aspnet-4

Quote:

so I think I'll push to use a SQL Server database instead.

Yes, for EF or L2S, that's probably the best solution.

Cheers,

Imar

R4VEN · May 14th, 2011, 10:09 AM

I'm totally going to try that Access membership article because I've always thought that was impossible!

But first SQL Server so I can learn .edmx files. :D