Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a modern, cross-platform, and extensible object-relational mapper (ORM) for .NET applications. It enables developers to work with a database using .NET objects, eliminating the need for much of the data-access code they'd otherwise have to write. EF Core supports a variety of database providers, making it a versatile choice for applications ranging from small utilities to large-scale enterprise systems. Its lightweight nature and focus on performance have made it a popular successor to the classic Entity Framework, read more here.

For developers seeking enhanced capabilities and broader database support, dotConnect providers offer seamless integration with EF Core. dotConnect extends EF Core's reach to a wider range of databases, including Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and more, often providing specialized features and optimizations tailored to each database system. This allows developers to leverage the power of EF Core while benefiting from the robust and performant data access offered by dotConnect, ensuring efficient and reliable communication with their chosen database.

While EF Core simplifies database interactions, designing and managing your data model can still be a complex task, especially in larger projects. This is where Entity Developer comes in as an invaluable visual ORM designer. Entity Developer provides a rich graphical interface for creating, editing, and maintaining your EF Core models. Instead of writing code for model definition, you can visually design your entities, relationships, and mappings. This not only accelerates development but also improves clarity and reduces errors. Entity Developer supports various model-first, database-first, and model-first approaches, offering flexibility in how you approach your data modeling. It can automatically generate code based on your visual model, keeping your code and design synchronized.

In essence, getting started with EF Core provides a powerful foundation for data access in .NET. Augmenting this with dotConnect extends its reach and performance across diverse database landscapes, while Entity Developer transforms the often-tedious task of model creation into an intuitive visual process, ultimately streamlining your development workflow and boosting productivity.