Code-First vs. Database-First—Which to Choose?
I’ve been there. You join a project, and the first big argument is about the database. One camp wants to stick with the existing, massive SQL Server database and generate code from it (Database-First). The other wants to write C# classes and have Entity Framework Core create the database for them (Code-First).
Picking the wrong one isn’t just a technical mistake; it’s a commitment that can cost your team months of painful refactoring. This happened to me on an e-commerce platform where a premature switch to Code-First crippled our ability to integrate with the company’s legacy inventory system.
Let’s cut through the theory and talk about which approach to choose and when, based on real-world projects.
What’s the Real Difference?
It’s all about the source of truth.
- Database-First: The database schema is the source of truth. You start with an existing database and use a tool to generate your EF Core models (
DbContextand entity classes). You never touch the generated model files directly. - Code-First: Your C# classes are the source of truth. You write your domain models, and EF Core migrations generate and update the database schema to match your code.
Here’s how they stack up in practice.
| Aspect | Database-First | Code-First |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Point | An existing, live database schema. | A set of C# classes. |
| Schema Control | Usually a … |