Modeling Database Tables in .NET MVC Using Raw without ORM

When developing a web application in .NET MVC, the ability to model database tables and access them remains a critical aspect of database integration. While Entity Framework and NHibernate are popular ORMs (Object-Relational Mappers) that simplify this process, there are scenarios where developers might prefer to use raw instead. This article explores how to use to model database tables and access them within the context of a .NET MVC application without the aid of an ORM, such as Entity Framework or NHibernate.

Introduction to

is a .NET Framework data access technology that provides a set of classes to access and manipulate a variety of data sources, such as databases. It is more primitive compared to ORMs but offers greater control and flexibility over database operations. Unlike ORMs, requires manual coding for data access, which can be more time-consuming but also more customizable for specific needs.

Advantages of Using Raw

Using can offer several advantages in certain situations:

Performance Optimization: allows for fine-tuning of database operations, which can lead to improved performance in high-load applications. Flexibility: With , you can tailor your application's data access logic exactly to your needs, which is particularly useful for complex business logic or when working with non-standard SQL constructs. Tracing and Logging: By working directly with , you have more control over the tracing and logging of database interactions, which can be crucial for debugging and performance analysis. Customization: provides a level of customization that is difficult to achieve with ORMs, which is useful for applications requiring specific data handling logic.

Modeling Database Tables in .NET MVC with

In a .NET MVC application, you can model your database tables by creating a database context and developing data access methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:

1. Establish Database Connection

To start, you need to establish a connection to your database. This can be done using a SqlConnection object if you are working with an SQL Server database:

using ; public class DatabaseContext { private string connectionString "Serveryour_server_name;Databaseyour_database_name;User Idyour_username;Passwordyour_password"; private SqlConnection connection; public DatabaseContext() { connection new SqlConnection(connectionString); } }

2. Use DataSets and DataAdapters

DataSets and DataAdapters are part of the framework and can be used to interact with your database tables. Here’s an example of how to use these:

using ; public ListCustomer GetCustomers() { DatabaseContext db new DatabaseContext(); ListCustomer customers new ListCustomer(); try { (); SqlCommand command new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM Customers", ); SqlDataAdapter adapter new SqlDataAdapter(command); DataTable dataTable new DataTable(); (dataTable); foreach (DataRow row in ) { Customer customer new Customer(); (row["Id"]); row["Name"].ToString(); row["Email"].ToString(); (customer); } } catch (Exception ex) { // Handle exception } finally { if ( ) { (); } } return customers; }

3. Use SQLReaders for Raw Queries

For more complex queries or scenarios where you need to execute raw SQL, SQLReaders can be used. Here’s an example:

using ; public ListCustomer GetCustomerBySearchTerm(string searchTerm) { DatabaseContext db new DatabaseContext(); ListCustomer customers new ListCustomer(); try { (); SqlCommand command new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE Name LIKE @searchTerm", ); ("@searchTerm", "%" searchTerm "%"); SqlDataReader reader command.ExecuteReader(); while (()) { Customer customer new Customer(); (reader["Id"]); reader["Name"].ToString(); reader["Email"].ToString(); (customer); } } catch (Exception ex) { // Handle exception } finally { if ( ) { (); } } return customers; }

Conclusion

While ORMs like Entity Framework and NHibernate have made data access in .NET applications easier, there are still scenarios where using directly can be more beneficial. provides a lower-level approach to working with databases, which offers greater control and customization. By understanding how to model database tables and access them using , developers can optimize their .NET MVC applications for specific needs and improve overall performance.

Keywords

, .NET MVC, Data Access Layer