Usage / handling of non relational datasources in .NET applications

Question

Which .NET (data / middel-tier) technologies / framworks can / should be be used, if the datasource isn't a classical relational database, but a service or a remote function call or whatever ? Are technologies like WCF RIA services or WCF DATA services (OData) suitable for handling non relational datasources.

Answer 1

You may want to look at OData for a start. If you can expose your data via OData, you get LINQ support and more out of the box.

You can develop a LINQ provider yourself to work with web services etc - for example, there's a "LINQ to Amazon" provider kicking around somewhere. Of course, writing your own provider takes a lot of work.

I can't say I've done any WCF work, but I don't think EF would really be suitable for non-relational data.