Entity Framework Core 11: New Features and Performance Enhancements

Introduction

Entity Framework Core (EF Core) has become one of the most popular Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks for .NET developers. It simplifies database operations by allowing developers to work with C# objects instead of writing SQL for every query.

With Entity Framework Core 11, Microsoft continues to improve performance, developer productivity, and database compatibility. The latest release introduces optimizations that help applications execute queries faster, reduce memory usage, and provide a smoother development experience.

In this article, we'll explore the key features and performance enhancements in Entity Framework Core 11, along with practical examples and best practices for using it effectively.

What Is Entity Framework Core?

Entity Framework Core is a lightweight, open-source ORM for .NET. It enables developers to interact with databases using C# classes, making data access easier and more maintainable.

With EF Core, you can:

Perform CRUD operations
Execute LINQ queries
Manage database migrations
Handle relationships between entities
Work with multiple database providers
Track changes automatically

Instead of writing repetitive SQL statements, developers can focus on business logic while EF Core handles database interactions.

What's New in Entity Framework Core 11?

Entity Framework Core 11 focuses on improving performance and making database operations more efficient.

Some of the notable improvements include:

Faster query execution
Better SQL generation
Improved change tracking
Enhanced LINQ translation
Optimized database migrations
Better support for modern .NET applications

These enhancements help developers build applications that are faster, more scalable, and easier to maintain.

Improved Query Performance

Query performance is one of the biggest areas of improvement in EF Core 11.

The framework includes optimizations that reduce unnecessary processing and generate more efficient SQL queries.

Benefits include:

Faster data retrieval
Lower database load
Reduced execution time
Better application responsiveness

Applications that frequently access large datasets can especially benefit from these improvements.

Better Change Tracking

EF Core automatically tracks changes made to entities before saving them to the database.

In EF Core 11, change tracking has been optimized to improve efficiency when working with large collections of entities.

This results in:

Lower memory usage
Faster save operations
Improved scalability
Better performance in enterprise applications

Developers working with high-volume data updates will notice the greatest benefits.

Enhanced LINQ Support

LINQ is one of the most powerful features of Entity Framework Core.

For example, retrieving active users remains simple:

var activeUsers = await context.Users
    .Where(user => user.IsActive)
    .ToListAsync();

EF Core 11 continues to improve how LINQ queries are translated into SQL, producing more efficient queries while maintaining clean and readable C# code.

Optimized Database Migrations

Database migrations make it easier to keep your application's database schema synchronized with your code.

Generating a migration remains straightforward:

dotnet ef migrations add InitialCreate

After creating the migration, update the database:

dotnet ef database update

EF Core 11 includes improvements that make migrations more reliable and easier to manage, particularly in large development teams.

Practical Example

Imagine you're building an e-commerce application.

Your application needs to display thousands of products with filtering and pagination.

Using EF Core 11, you can write a query like this:

var products = await context.Products
    .Where(product => product.IsAvailable)
    .OrderBy(product => product.Name)
    .Take(20)
    .ToListAsync();

Because of the query optimizations in EF Core 11, the generated SQL is more efficient, helping reduce response times and improving the user experience.

Performance Best Practices

Even with the improvements in EF Core 11, following best practices is essential for building high-performance applications.

Use Asynchronous Operations

Use asynchronous methods whenever possible.

Examples include:

ToListAsync()
FirstOrDefaultAsync()
SaveChangesAsync()

These methods help improve scalability by preventing unnecessary thread blocking.

Retrieve Only Required Data

Avoid loading unnecessary columns.

Instead of retrieving entire entities, select only the data you need.

var users = await context.Users
    .Select(user => new
    {
        user.Id,
        user.Name
    })
    .ToListAsync();

This reduces both memory usage and database traffic.

Use Pagination

Never load thousands of records if users only need a small subset.

Using Skip() and Take() helps improve performance.

var products = await context.Products
    .Skip(20)
    .Take(20)
    .ToListAsync();

Pagination is especially important for APIs and web applications.

Avoid Unnecessary Tracking

When data is only being read, disable change tracking.

var products = await context.Products
    .AsNoTracking()
    .ToListAsync();

This reduces memory consumption and speeds up query execution.

Common Use Cases

Entity Framework Core 11 is suitable for many application types, including:

ASP.NET Core Web APIs
E-commerce platforms
Enterprise business applications
Inventory management systems
Financial applications
Content management systems
Cloud-native services

Its flexibility makes it a popular choice for both small and large .NET projects.

Conclusion

Entity Framework Core 11 continues to improve one of the most widely used ORMs in the .NET ecosystem. With faster query execution, better SQL generation, enhanced change tracking, improved LINQ support, and optimized database migrations, it helps developers build applications that are both efficient and maintainable.

While the framework introduces meaningful performance improvements, following best practices—such as using asynchronous operations, limiting retrieved data, applying pagination, and disabling tracking for read-only queries—remains essential. By combining these techniques with the enhancements in EF Core 11, developers can create scalable, high-performance applications that deliver a better experience for users.