Update database schema at runtime with Entity Framework

Question

I'm developing an application with EF4.0. Between the releases the database schema can change (e.g. column added, table added...).

Is there a way to commit these changes to the customers database when they run the new release? I'm thinking of an function similar to CreateDatabase().

Answer 1

Your install procedure must do two things:

• Run a script to update the database
• Install the new program files

To generate the database script use the tools in visual studio, see http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/KIMBERLY/post/Data-Dude-moving-into-lower-priced-VS-Editions-in-VS-2010-excellent!.aspx