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?

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

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.