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  1. Stackups
  2. Application & Data
  3. Databases
  4. Orm
  5. Entity Framework Core vs SQLAlchemy

Entity Framework Core vs SQLAlchemy

OverviewComparisonAlternatives

Overview

SQLAlchemy
SQLAlchemy
Stacks1.6K
Followers511
Votes7
GitHub Stars3.5K
Forks878
Entity Framework Core
Entity Framework Core
Stacks1.1K
Followers225
Votes16
GitHub Stars9.0K
Forks2.3K

Entity Framework Core vs SQLAlchemy: What are the differences?

Entity Framework Core (EF Core) and SQLAlchemy are both Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks that provide a way to interact with databases in an object-oriented manner. However, there are several key differences between the two frameworks.
  1. Programming Languages and Platforms: Entity Framework Core is primarily focused on the .NET platform and supports programming languages such as C# and VB.NET. On the other hand, SQLAlchemy is mainly used with Python and supports multiple databases, including popular ones like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite.

  2. Fluent API vs. Declarative Approach: EF Core uses a fluent API approach, where developers define the database schema and relationships using method calls in code. On the contrary, SQLAlchemy follows a declarative approach, where developers define the database schema using class definitions. This allows for more concise code in SQLAlchemy.

  3. Database Support: While EF Core supports various databases, including SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MySQL, it has limited support for NoSQL databases. SQLAlchemy, on the other hand, provides explicit support for both SQL and NoSQL databases, making it a more versatile choice for handling different types of databases.

  4. Query Generation: EF Core provides a LINQ (Language Integrated Query) querying mechanism that allows developers to write queries in a strongly-typed manner, using language constructs like lambdas. SQLAlchemy, on the other hand, supports its own querying language called "SQLAlchemy SQL Expression Language", which empowers developers to write complex queries in a more flexible and powerful way.

  5. Maturity and Community Support: Entity Framework Core is a part of the Microsoft ecosystem and has strong support from Microsoft and the .NET community. It benefits from continuous development and improvements. SQLAlchemy, being a widely-used ORM in Python, also has a vibrant community and extensive documentation, but it may not have the same level of integration and support as EF Core within the Microsoft ecosystem.

  6. Performance Considerations: EF Core has made significant advancements in terms of performance and optimization over its predecessor, Entity Framework (EF). However, SQLAlchemy is known for its performance and scalability, especially when it comes to handling large datasets. SQLAlchemy allows developers to fine-tune and optimize queries for better performance in a more granular way compared to EF Core.

In Summary, Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is primarily focused on the .NET platform and uses a fluent API approach, while SQLAlchemy is mainly used with Python, supports multiple databases, and follows a declarative approach. EF Core has better integration within the Microsoft ecosystem, while SQLAlchemy offers more versatility in terms of database support and query writing capability. SQLAlchemy is known for its performance and scalability, especially when handling large datasets.

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Detailed Comparison

SQLAlchemy
SQLAlchemy
Entity Framework Core
Entity Framework Core

SQLAlchemy is the Python SQL toolkit and Object Relational Mapper that gives application developers the full power and flexibility of SQL.

It is a lightweight, extensible, open source and cross-platform version of the popular Entity Framework data access technology. It can serve as an object-relational mapper (O/RM), enabling .NET developers to work with a database using .NET objects, and eliminating the need for most of the data-access code they usually need to write.

-
Lightweight ;Extensible , Cross Platform; ORM; .NET Core; .NET Framework
Statistics
GitHub Stars
3.5K
GitHub Stars
9.0K
GitHub Forks
878
GitHub Forks
2.3K
Stacks
1.6K
Stacks
1.1K
Followers
511
Followers
225
Votes
7
Votes
16
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 7
    Open Source
Cons
  • 2
    Documentation
Pros
  • 7
    Fits very well with Microsoft technologies
  • 4
    Fast
  • 2
    Linq
  • 1
    OpenSource
  • 1
    Easy to use
Cons
  • 1
    Dbcontext
Integrations
Python
Python
Firebird
Firebird
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL
Oracle
Oracle
Azure Cosmos DB
Azure Cosmos DB
MariaDB
MariaDB
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access
SQLite
SQLite
MySQL
MySQL
.NET
.NET
.NET Core
.NET Core

What are some alternatives to SQLAlchemy, Entity Framework Core?

Sequelize

Sequelize

Sequelize is a promise-based ORM for Node.js and io.js. It supports the dialects PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite and MSSQL and features solid transaction support, relations, read replication and more.

Prisma

Prisma

Prisma is an open-source database toolkit. It replaces traditional ORMs and makes database access easy with an auto-generated query builder for TypeScript & Node.js.

Hibernate

Hibernate

Hibernate is a suite of open source projects around domain models. The flagship project is Hibernate ORM, the Object Relational Mapper.

Doctrine 2

Doctrine 2

Doctrine 2 sits on top of a powerful database abstraction layer (DBAL). One of its key features is the option to write database queries in a proprietary object oriented SQL dialect called Doctrine Query Language (DQL), inspired by Hibernates HQL.

MikroORM

MikroORM

TypeScript ORM for Node.js based on Data Mapper, Unit of Work and Identity Map patterns. Supports MongoDB, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL and SQLite databases.

Entity Framework

Entity Framework

It is an object-relational mapper that enables .NET developers to work with relational data using domain-specific objects. It eliminates the need for most of the data-access code that developers usually need to write.

peewee

peewee

A small, expressive orm, written in python (2.6+, 3.2+), with built-in support for sqlite, mysql and postgresql and special extensions like hstore.

MyBatis

MyBatis

It is a first class persistence framework with support for custom SQL, stored procedures and advanced mappings. It eliminates almost all of the JDBC code and manual setting of parameters and retrieval of results. It can use simple XML or Annotations for configuration and map primitives, Map interfaces and Java POJOs (Plain Old Java Objects) to database records.

Dapper

Dapper

It is an object-relational mapping product for the Microsoft.NET platform: it provides a framework for mapping an object-oriented domain model to a traditional relational database.

NHibernate

NHibernate

It is a mature, open source object-relational mapper for the .NET framework. It's actively developed, fully featured and used in thousands of successful projects.

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