Entity Framework with File-Based Database
- by Dave Swersky
I am in the process of developing a desktop application that needs a database. The application is currently targeted to SQL Express 2005 and works wonderfully. However, I'm not crazy about having this dependency on SQL Express and would prefer to use a small file-based database.
My problem is that I am using Entity Framework. I have tried both SQL Compact and SQLite, and they both have bizarre problems with EF v1. I get errors creating the Model, invalid models when it does get created... it's a nightmare.
I'm about ready to give up and write a data layer and repository in the good-old-school Connection/Command pattern. Not my favorite plan...
Is there a lightweight, file-based database out there that plays well with EF?
OR
Is there a better ORM tool that I should use instead of EF with my lightweight DB?