Get a thorough introduction to ADO.NET Entity Framework 4 — Microsoft's core framework for modeling and interacting with data in .NET applications. The second edition of this acclaimed guide provides a hands-on tour of the framework latest version in Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4. Not only will you learn how to use EF4 in a variety of applications, you'll also gain a deep understanding of its architecture and APIs.

Written by Julia Lerman, the leading independent authority on the framework, Programming Entity Framework covers it all — from the Entity Data Model and Object Services to WCF Services, MVC Apps, and unit testing. This book highlights important changes for experienced developers familiar with the earlier version.

• Understand the core concepts you need to make the best use of the EF4 in your applications
• Learn to query your data, using either LINQ to Entities or Entity SQL
• Create Windows Forms, WPF, ASP.NET Web Forms, and ASP.NET MVC applications
• Build and consume WCF Services, WCF Data Services, and WCF RIA Services
• Use Object Services to work directly with your entity objects
• Create persistent ignorant entities, repositories, and write unit tests
• Delve into model customization, relationship management, change tracking, data concurrency, and more
• Get scores of reusable examples — written in C# (with notes on Visual Basic syntax) — that you can implement right away