Entity Framework Core vs MyBatis: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Entity Framework Core and MyBatis

Entity Framework Core and MyBatis are two popular object-relational mapping (ORM) frameworks used in software development. While both frameworks serve the purpose of connecting a database with the application code, they have distinct differences in terms of architecture, syntax, and functionalities:

1. Architecture: Entity Framework Core is a full-featured ORM framework that follows the traditional object-relational mapping pattern. It provides a high level of abstraction, allowing developers to work with a conceptual model and perform CRUD operations using LINQ queries. On the other hand, MyBatis is a lightweight ORM framework that uses XML or annotations to map SQL statements to Java objects. It follows a data mapper pattern, where developers have control over the SQL queries and the mapping process.

2. Syntax: Entity Framework Core uses LINQ (Language-Integrated Query) to query and manipulate data. LINQ provides a unified syntax for querying various data sources, including databases, XML, and objects. It allows developers to write type-safe queries using familiar language constructs. In contrast, MyBatis uses SQL or XML-based mapping files to define SQL queries. Developers write plain SQL statements or use the MyBatis-specific XML syntax to map the result sets to Java objects.

3. Performance: Entity Framework Core is known for its high performance due to its optimized query generation and caching mechanisms. It automatically generates optimized SQL queries based on LINQ expressions, reducing the overhead of query construction. MyBatis, being a lightweight framework, also provides good performance by allowing developers to write optimized SQL queries directly. It provides various caching options to improve query performance.

4. Platform Compatibility: Entity Framework Core is a cross-platform framework that supports multiple database providers, including SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and SQLite. It is designed to work with .NET Core and can be used in both Windows and non-Windows environments. MyBatis, originally developed for Java applications, primarily targets Java platform and supports various database vendors.

5. Ease of Use: Entity Framework Core offers a higher level of abstraction and provides built-in support for many common scenarios, such as database migrations and change tracking. It has a rich set of features and tooling that simplify development tasks. MyBatis, being a lightweight framework, requires developers to have a good understanding of SQL and XML. While it provides flexibility, it may involve more manual configuration and coding.

6. Community and Ecosystem: Entity Framework Core is backed by Microsoft and has a larger community and ecosystem. It has extensive documentation, tutorials, and third-party libraries that extend its functionalities. MyBatis, although not as widespread as Entity Framework Core, also has an active community and supports various plugins and integrations.

In summary, Entity Framework Core is a full-featured ORM framework with a high level of abstraction, LINQ-based syntax, and good cross-platform compatibility, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. On the other hand, MyBatis is a lightweight framework that offers more control over SQL queries and mapping process, making it a choice for developers who prefer hand-crafted SQL and customizability.