MySQL not Listed in Updated model from Database for entity framework in VS Express 2012 edition

Question

i am trying to update model from database and use MySQL as my data source, it seems like there is some problem in listing MySQL as datasource . Please see the inline image : I have installed MySQL for visual studio , that way i am able to see the existing data model,created by someone else, but i can't update the data model. Also i tried the solution given here : Can't Create Entity Data Model - using MySql and EF6 , but it didn't worked out .

It seems like there is some problem with VS 2012 express edition.

I need to know is this an issue with VS 2012 express , or am I missing something,

How to list MySQL as the data source ?? Any help would be really appreciated.

Answer 1

AFAIK, VS 2012 Express doesn't supported by MySQL for Visual Studio as extension but supported by MySQL Connector/NET, according to this article:

MySQL for Visual Studio does not support Express versions of Microsoft development products, including the Visual Studio and the Microsoft Visual Web Developer.

To use MySQL Connector/Net with an Express versions of Microsoft development products, use MySQL Connector/Net 6.7.4 or later, without installing the MySQL for Visual Studio.

Here are some steps to use Connector/NET with EF:

1. Install MySQL Connector/NET, add 3 following DLL files as reference in your project:

   MySql.Data.dll
   MySql.Data.Entity.dll (for EF6 it should be MySql.Data.Entity.EF6.dll)
   MySql.Web.dll
   

The required files exist on MySQL\MySQL Connector Net [version number]\Assemblies\[.NET version]\, e.g. C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Connector Net 6.x.x\Assemblies\v4.5\.

2. Change entityFramework element on your web.config file depending on EF version being used:

EF 5

<entityFramework>
    <defaultConnectionFactory type="MySql.Data.Entity.MySqlConnectionFactory, MySql.Data.Entity" />
</entityFramework>

EF 6

<entityFramework codeConfigurationType="MySql.Data.Entity.MySqlEFConfiguration, MySql.Data.Entity.EF6">
    <defaultConnectionFactory type="System.Data.Entity.Infrastructure.SqlConnectionFactory, EntityFramework" />
    <providers>
      <provider invariantName="MySql.Data.MySqlClient" type="MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlProviderServices, MySql.Data.Entity.EF6" /> 
    </providers>
</entityFramework>

3. Rebuild your project/solution and ensure "MySQL Database" option is available on data source dropdown list.

Update:

After conducting further research regarding data source availability, I found that Visual Studio Express editions have certain set of limitations regarding third party extensions, hence in some cases doesn't allow even creating connection to MySQL instance in EDM design-time (thanks to Devart reminds me about this). As a workaround, CLI-based EDM Generator may be used (see example and usage description) like this example:

edmgen.exe /mode:fullgeneration /c:"[MySQL DB connection string]" /project:[project name] /entitycontainer:[entity name] /namespace:[table namespace] /language:CSharp

Related issues:

mySQL DataSource on Visual Studio 2012

Can't use a MySQL connection for entity framework 6

MySQL For Visual Studio 2012/2013