Create Entity Framework Seed method from existing database

Question

We're in the process of converting a 15-year-old application into C#/Entity Framework Code First.

I've been able to create a migration for the table structures that I'll need, and I'd like to fill them with the data from our old application. Of course, it's possible to simply create a script using Management Studio, but I'd like to leverage Code First if possible.

I see that it's possible to reverse engineer a database schema. Is there a simple way that I could generate a migration or Seed method from existing data in a database? I'm not too worried about performance - it's enough data to be a pain to recreate by hand, but neither are we talking about thousands of rows.

SOfanatic · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-06 18:17:47Z

4

Entity Framework itself should not be used for mass insertion/deletion/updating of records since the performance is really poor. If you want the seeding to be part of your migrations then you could include your SqlCommands inside your Seed method:

protected override void Seed(Context context)
{
   context.Database.ExecuteSqlCommand("Command Here");
}
base.Seed(context);

answered Sep 6, 2013 at 18:17

SOfanatic

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3 Comments

Hannele Over a year ago

I'm not too worried about performance - it's complex enough data to be a pain to recreate by hand, but neither are we talking about thousands of rows. I may just dump into all into a string literal, then, if that's really the best option.

SOfanatic Over a year ago

is your data currently in a sql server db? if it is you could use the Generate Scripts feature.

Hannele Over a year ago

That looks like the most reasonable option. Thanks.

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