In this blog, you will see the logical differentiation between following approach which is used to handle database activity using entity framework.
Code First Approach
It is very popular approach between MVC programmers. It has full control over the code rather than database activity. Using this approach we can do all the database activity from the code. So, we can say manual changes to database have been lost to use this and everything is depended on the code.
In this you need to create POCO entities as data model.
Database First Approach
If you have already a designed database and you don’t want to do extra effort then you can go with this approach. If your database is ready then Entity Framework will complete his duty and create POCO entities for you with T4 template.
You can modify the database manually and update model from database. So, we can say, entity framework is able to create your model classes based on tables and columns from relational database.
Model First Approach
In this approach, you need to draw your model first and let workflow to decide to generate your database. If you are going to work with small project then it will be best. You cannot make manual change into database because of you don’t have command on database, but you can made the changes into model classes.
So, using the entity framework designer, you can create your model classes and based on your model classes your database will be generated.
Hope you enjoyed this blog.

Gene KochanowskyPosted Mar 17, 2026, 12:58 PM
I'm a big advocate of the Engineering First approach. That would mean you start with a model, and modify as you learn more about the problem you are solving. If it's an enterprise project then data will be at the core of the problem. Any data design you come up with should model the application domain as much as is reasonable. That is because assuming you have no bugs, changes will come from changes over time from the application domain. If you structure it like the domain, then changes in the domain can be described and implemented in terms of data entities that already exist. This will float up right into the code and interface. Making maintenance much, much easier.
yahya ammouriPosted Nov 29, 2017, 12:48 AM
Very informative, Thank You Mr. Kumar
Kanaga PalanisamyPosted Jul 24, 2017, 4:27 AM
Can you show for syntax of Code First vs. Database First vs. Model First Approach
Ankur MistryPosted Nov 30, 2015, 2:37 AM
nice