David Sceppa's Ramblings : Data Direct

The Entity Framework - Not Just For SQL Server!

David Sceppa — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:09:00 GMT

As you're hopefully aware, Beta 3 of the ADO.NET Entity Framework is already available. If not, see the ADO.NET team blog here.

You may not be aware of the various ADO.NET provider writers who are publicly pledging their support for the Entity Framework. You can read the entire press release, including information about ADO.NET Data Services (formerly Project Astoria) and ASP.NET 3.5 Extensions here. In terms of third party provider involvement, here are the highlights:

Providers Targeting Publicly Available Versions Within Three Months of RTM

· Core Lab - Providing connectivity to Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite databases

· IBM - Providing connectivity to both IBM DB2 data server and Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) databases

· MySQL AB - Providing connectivity to MySQL databases

· Npgsql - Providing connectivity to PostgreSQL database versions 7.3+ and 8.x

· OpenLink Software - Providing connectivity to Oracle, Informix, Ingres, Sybase, MySQL, PostgreSQL, DB2, Progress and Microsoft SQL Server databases, and any data source accessible via OpenLink ODBC or JDBC bridge drivers

· Phoenix Software International - Providing connectivity to SQLite databases

· Sybase - Providing connectivity to SQL Anywhere databases

· VistaDB Software - Providing connectivity to VistaDB databases

* - The providers in the list above are also working towards publicly available versions of their providers to work with Beta 3 of the Entity Framework.

Providers Targeting Publicly Available Versions in 2008

· DataDirect Technologies - Providing connectivity to multiple data stores including Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server and DB2 via DataDirect Connect® for ADO.NET

· Firebird - Providing connectivity to Firebird databases

If you're writing an ADO.NET provider for the Entity Framework and you're not already in touch with me, please drop me a line at David (dot) Sceppa (at) microsoft (dot) com.

TechEd: Provider Writers Talk About the Entity Framework

David Sceppa — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:04:00 GMT

TechEd was a major success. Every time I turned around, more people were asking questions about LINQ and the Entity Framework, though that might have had something to do with the fact that I was standing next to a sign that said "LINQ / Entity Framework".

One of the highlights was the provider writers' chalk talk, which packed the theater area. I'd previously blogged that IBM, DataDirect and Oracle would be in attendance. We also had representatives from Sybase and VistaDB at the talk.

IBM drew the most "oohs" and "aahs" when they demonstrated an early build of their provider working with the 101 LINQ to Entities samples. Each provider writer took some time to talk about their thoughts on customer scenarios, the work they've done so far, etc. The majority of the provider writers talked about how excited they were that both LINQ and Entity SQL allow developers to write provider agnostic queries without having to ask themselves questions like "How do I concatenate strings, construct a join, etc. in my database's query language?"

A few attendees asked about MySQL connectivity. MySQL was unable to attend due to scheduling problems but they are still very much involved. As I mentioned in a previous post, they demonstrated an early build of their provider working with the Entity Framework at the MySQL conference in April.

If you're writing an ADO.NET provider for the Entity Framework and you're not already in touch with me, please drop me a line at David (dot) Sceppa (at) microsoft (dot) com.

Entity Framework Provider Talk at TechEd

David Sceppa — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:44:00 GMT

At TechEd 2007 in Orlando, there will be a chalk talk on ADO.NET Entity Framework, specifically focusing on the provider model and integration with third-party databases. The chalk talk will be held Friday June 8th at 1pm in Blue Theater 12.

I’m pleased to say that DataDirect, IBM and others will be in attendance to talk about the work they’re doing to add support for the Entity Framework to their ADO.NET providers.

DataDirect will discuss heterogeneous data sources in an Entity Framework environment, the importance of best of class ADO.NET providers as an essential component for the Entity Framework and present a use case on a how to ensure a successful Entity Framework development and deployment cycle.
IBM will talk about their investments to support the Entity Framework for their Data Servers and to demonstrate an early build of their provider working with the Entity Framework.

Whether you’re interested in accessing a third party database, or you’re interested in enhancing your provider to support the Entity Framework, I invite you to attend and ask questions of the Microsoft representatives as well as the representatives of the various provider writers. I look forward to seeing you there!