ADO.NET vs Entity Framework

 ADO.NET and Entity Framework (EF) are both technologies used in .NET for data access, but they serve different purposes and have different approaches.

1. ADO.NET (ActiveX Data Objects):

   • ADO.NET is a low-level data access library provided by Microsoft. It allows you to interact with databases using objects like Connection, Command, DataReader, etc.
   • It requires writing more code compared to Entity Framework, as you have to handle SQL commands, connections, and data mapping manually.
   • ADO.NET gives you fine-grained control over database interactions, which can be advantageous in certain scenarios where performance optimization or complex database operations are required.
   • It is well-suited for scenarios where you need maximum control over database interactions, such as in high-performance applications or when working with legacy systems.

2. Entity Framework:

   • Entity Framework is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework provided by Microsoft. It enables developers to work with databases using .NET objects, abstracting away much of the database-specific code.
   • EF allows you to define entities that represent tables in your database, and it handles the translation of LINQ queries into SQL queries, database connections, and data mapping automatically.
   • It provides higher-level abstractions and simplifies data access code, reducing the amount of boilerplate code you need to write.
   • EF includes features like change tracking, automatic migrations, and LINQ support, making it easier to work with databases in object-oriented applications.
   • It is particularly useful in applications where productivity and maintainability are important, as it simplifies common data access tasks and reduces the need for writing repetitive code.

In summary, ADO.NET is more manual and provides lower-level access to databases, offering more control but requiring more effort. Entity Framework, on the other hand, abstracts away many of the complexities of data access, providing higher-level abstractions and reducing the amount of code you need to write, making it more suitable for rapid application development and scenarios where productivity is key.