should I move on to entity framework

Question

I use visual studio 2005 , but recently I've heard that there is a new technology which called entity framework .. should I move on and use it instead of using the usual SqlDataReader !!
the most important thing to me is the performance , note that I get the data from the DB using DataReader and return it as a generic List ..
any suggestion .. thanx :)

Answer 1

The SqlDataReader and the Entity Framework are two completely different approaches to access your data. With SqlCommands, you yourself write the SQL queries. With an O/R mapping technology such as the Entity Framework, the relational database structure is mapped to objects whose properties you access, e.g. Linq to Entities. Note that the O/R mapping approach is not about speed.

Answer 2

If you are in VS 2005. I think you can't use Entity FrameWork. For that you required 2008 and .NET 3.5 SP1. Entity Framework has some issues. If you are going with Entity Framework; go with Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0. This will be a better option.

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