Entity Framework : XML Provider

[Gislain]

Hi,

Is it possible to use EF with XML file instead of SGBDR ?

Best regard

Gislain

 

[Gregory A. Beamer]

Hi,

Is it possible to use EF with XML file instead of SGBDR ?

That is not its purpose. EF is designed to sit on top of a relational
database and create and map entities, not work with non-relational data
sources. Yes, I realize XML can be made somewhat "relational", but it
generally fits a "hierarchical" model, where the relationships are chained
in the hierarchy.

You can consume XML with LINQ-to-SQL, although it does not map per se.

--
Peace and Grace,
Greg

Twitter: @gbworld
Blog: http://gregorybeamer.spaces.live.com

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| Think outside the box! |
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[Gislain]

I know... but the purpose of my demand is to create an "helper", to avoid to
deploy a database to the client during "developpement step".

Gislain.

 

[Patrice]

Hello,

I know... but the purpose of my demand is to create an "helper", to avoid
to deploy a database to the client during "developpement step".

AFAIK SQL Server Compact is easy to deploy and has support for Entity
Framework. So if the requirement is to use a database but avoid deployment
issues it could be a solution (among others) :
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc835494.aspx (EF support)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa983326(VS.80).aspx (deployment)

If for some reason, you really want to keep using Xml as a storage format,
you could likely use a serialized dataset and use Linq To DataSets.