Multiple Tables With Same Structure Entity Framework

Question

We have a database with multiple tables with Same structure

Table 1

Key ID ........

Table 2

Key ID .......

The number of tables can be dynamic based on configuration.

I am trying to upgrade the data access Layer to Entity framework. I have created one class representing the structure of the table. My Plan is to use the same class for all the tables with same structure. Bubt I could not find enough information on how to do this. What I understood is that I can map one class to one table only.

Is there any way to achieve this using entity framework?

Posticous

Why not normalise your database tables instead? – Tracytrade

Create a single view for all tables with the same structure. Map the EF entity to this view. – Jeanne

@IntoNET:The database is quite complicated and this can not be changed. – Posticous

Answer 1

The easy way: have an abstract base class with all the properties, and map concrete types:

public abstract class BaseClass
{
   public int Id { get; set; }
   public string StringField { get; set; }
   /* Other fields */ 
}

[Table("Table1")]
public class Table1 : BaseClass
{
}

[Table("Table2")]
public class Table2 : BaseClass
{
}

I'm not answering whether that design is good or bad (I wouldn't say I like it as you explained it), I'm just answering the question

Phew

Thanks for your reply. Will try this. – Posticous

I've settled on doing this but with an interface instead of an abstract class. – Honorable

Answer 2

And now for a completely different approach which I have used successfully in EF Core:

Create a parameterized stored procedure which uses some dynamic SQL to return the actual table you want and use the FromSql feature.

Altar

Answer 3

Since EF Core 7.0 the new TPC (Table per concrete type) mapping scheme seems to be relevant to this issue. When the TPC mapping scheme is invoked Each concrete class can map to an individual table without any weird foreign key references or constraint issues. I found details here

Swineherd

That doesn't map one class to multiple tables. – Angadreme