The Art of SQL Server FILESTREAM - Red Gate Software

Chapter 4: FILESTREAM with EntityFramework and LINQ to SQLIn this chapter, we run through some labs that demonstrate how applications that employADO. NET Entity Framework (EF) or LINQ to SQL in their data access layer can interactwith the FILESTREAM feature.The focus will be on the FILESTREAM end of the equation, rather than on the specifics ofthe given data access framework or technology, and the chapter adopts a highly practicalapproach, consisting of the worked labs below.• Lab 2: Using FILESTREAM data with EF. This lab actually comprises twoseparate examples:• Lab 2a: a simple application that adopts the "default" EF approach of usingT-SQL to access the FILESTREAM data• Lab 2b: a custom approach that allows continued used of streaming I/O accesswith SqlFileStream.• Lab 3: Using FILESTREAM data with LINQ to SQL.As you can see, there is greater emphasis in this chapter on EF than on LINQ to SQL. Thelatter has been characterized by Microsoft as being for "strongly-typed LINQ access to SQLServer, for rapidly developed applications" or, less formally by members of the Microsoftdeveloper community, as "the quick and dirty way to do it." In contrast, ADO.NET EntityFramework "provides strongly-typed LINQ access for applications requiring a more flexibleObject Relational mapping, across Microsoft SQL Server and third-party databases."131