Is ADO.NET Entity framework database schema update possible ?

Question

Hi All

I'm working on proof of concept application like crm and i need your some advice. My application's data layer completely dynamic and run onto EF 3.5. When the user update the entity, change relation or add new column to the database, first i'm planning make for these with custom classes. After I rebuild my database model layer with new changes during the application runtime. And my model layer tie with tightly coupled to my project for easy reflecting model layer changes (It connected to my project via interfaces and loading onto to application domain in the runtime).

I need to create dynamic entities, create entity relations and modify them during the runtime after that i need to create change database script for updating database schema. I know ADO.NET team says "we will be able to provide this property in EF 4.0", but i don't need to wait for them.

How can i update database changes during the runtime via EF 3.5 ?

For example, i need to create new entity or need to change some entity schema, add new properties or change property types after than how can apply these changes on the physical database schema ?

Any ideas ?

Answer 1

This blog post may have what you need. It describes a way to capture the metadata of your model and modify it in-transit, during runtime. I haven't a clue how it works, but it sounds cool.

Changing Entity Framework storage DB schema during Runtime http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/idof/archive/2008/08/22/change-entity-framework-storage-db-schema-in-runtime.aspx