Model Domain Objects with the Entity Framework: Figure 1: Get a Grip on EDM Terminology from the Entity Data Model (EDM) Designer.
The graphical EDM Designer from the Entity Framework Tools December 2007 CTP (CTP 2) provides the key to object terminology that relationally oriented developers find arcane. Class widgets define EntityTypes, which correspond to a table's schema and usually carry the singularized table name, such as Customer. EntitySets, which represent a table, should retain the EntityType's original plural form. Scalar Properties correspond to table fields. Fields that represent foreign key values, such as Orders, and participate in an association, such as FK_Order_Customers, become Navigation Properties. When you hover over an association line, a screen tip window opens to display the XML representation of the association in the ModelName.csdl conceptual schema file. The Model Browser offers a hierarchical view of all model elements; hovering over an item displays an XML group containing elements that represent the item's properties.