Code First Database Migration with .NET core EF SQL server

These steps will show how to create or update Database with Code First Approach using .NET Core EF Framework.

1. Install Packages from Nuget. 
   You need to install following packages
   • Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore
   • Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Tools
   • Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.SqlServer
2. Make sure SDK Version and Package versions are matched.
   This is not really required but recommended.
   • Check enable .net core SDKs
     Open the Command Line or PowerShell window
     type following command.
     dotnet –info
      

     

3. Create Context
   In my example, the context name will be ‘StoreContext’.

   public class StoreContext : DbContext
   {
       public StoreContext(DbContextOptions<StoreContext> options) : base(options)
       {
       }
       
       public DbSet<Product> Products { get; set; }
   }

   public class Product
   {
       public int Id { get; set; }
   
       public string  Name { get; set; }   
   }

   By default, if entity framework has int Id, this field will be generated as primary key and auto incremental Id.

4. Add connection string on AppSettings.json file.

   "ConnectionStrings": {
     "DefaultConnection": "Data Source=localhost;Initial Catalog=WebStore;Persist Security Info=True;User ID=<userId>;Password=<password>"
   }

5. Add that connection string into ConfigureService() method in StartUp.cs file.

   public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
   {
       services.AddControllers();
       
       //Need to add this line for the DB Connection. 
       services.AddDbContext<StoreContext>(x =>
           x.UseSqlServer(_configuration.GetConnectionString("DefaultConnection")));
   
       // Register the Swagger services
       services.AddSwaggerDocument();
   }

6. Create the migration script.
   Open the Command Line or PowerShell window and set the directory to your project.
   type following command
   dotnet ef migrations add <migrationName as you want> -0 <Folder that you want to create>This is my example:

   dotnet ef migrations add InitialCreate -o Data/Migrations

   This will create following files on under Data/Migrations folder.
   

7.  Update database.
   Execute following command.
   dotnet ef database update.Note: If the user has permission to create the database on DB server, this will create the database as well.