| Beta or CTP Release |
Feature Category |
New or Improved Features |
Entity Framework
Beta 2
Released 8/27/2007 |
Disconnected operation
and n-tier deployment |
Entity key serialization |
| Mapping |
Abstract types in EDM models |
| Complex types |
| <Using> support in metadata files |
| Metadata annotations |
| Polymorphic results from stored procedures |
| Business logic |
| Increased persistence ignorance in entity data classes |
| Events to customize code generation |
| Improved connection management for ObjectContext |
| Improved DataBinding usability |
| A new event for extending the SaveChanges() method |
| Queries |
Better control for loading related entities with LINQ to Entities queries |
| Additional canonical functions for LINQ queries |
| Automatic mapping from CLR functions to database server functions |
Entity Framework
Tools CTP 1
Released 8/27/2007 |
Entity Data
Model Designer
and n-tier deployment |
Add, Delete, and Edit Entities, scalar properties, Associations, and inheritance |
| Automate set management |
| Automate Navigation property management |
| Validate model and mappings using Entity Framework runtime |
| Entity mapping |
| Map an EntityType to multiple tables |
| Apply multiple conditions to a table mapping |
| Map Associations |
| Automatically generate of conditions and referential constraints on associations |
| Map an Entity hierarchy to a single table or multiple tables |
| Entity model Browser |
Visualize the model in a tree hierarchy |
| Relate shapes on the designer surface with the model hierarchy |
| Visual Studio Integration |
| Support C# and VB in most project types |
| Item template for .EDMX file |
| Model generation wizard |
| Entity Framework validation on build |
| Support VS Express, Standard, Pro, and VSTS editions |
Entity Framework
Beta 3
Released 12/6/2007 |
Performance |
Faster ObjectQuery |
| More concise autogenerated database-specific SQL from eSQL |
| Quicker view generation |
| Disconnected operation and n-tier deployment |
Public, serializable EntityReference.EntityKey property |
| EntityReference.ApplyPropertyChanges() method |
| EntityReference.Attach() method |
| Improved EntityKey serializaation |
| Business logic |
| Partial methods in code generated for property changing and property
changed events |
| Load with MergeOption |
| Queries |
Additional canonical functions for LINQ to Entities |
| Additional canonical functions for LINQ to Entities |
| Compiled LINQ queries |
| ObjectQuery<T>.ToTraceString() method |
| EntityCommand for debugging |
Entity Framework Tools CTP 2
Released 12/6/2007 |
Entity mapping |
Map entities to insert, update, and delete stored procedures |
| FunctionImports for insert, update, and delete operations |
| Create and map abstract entity types in the model |
| Update Model From Database feature for schema changes |
Double-clicking a validation error selects the erroneous entity, property,
or association |
| Cut, copy, and paste entities and properties |
| Entity connection string fixup for App.config or Web.config when moving or renaming .edmx file in Solution Explorer |
| Multiple Active ResultSets (MARS) is enabled by default for SQL Server 2005+ |
| Deployment |
| EntityDeploy MSBUILD task replaces EdmxDeploy.exe |
| Package .CSDL, .MSL and .SSDL files as resources in the output assembly |