RepoDb – Mirco ORM

RepoDB - Micro ORM | High-Performance .NET Micro ORM

Introduction to RepoDB

When working with databases in .NET applications, developers often seek a balance between the performance of raw ADO.NET and the convenience of full-fledged ORMs like Entity Framework. This is where RepoDB, a Micro ORM, comes into play. It bridges the gap by offering a lightweight, high-performance alternative that simplifies database access while maintaining efficiency.

What is RepoDB?

RepoDB is an open-source Micro ORM for .NET designed for applications that need a balance between performance and developer productivity. Unlike full-featured ORMs such as Entity Framework or NHibernate, which introduce significant overhead, RepoDB provides an efficient way to interact with relational databases using simple and intuitive APIs.

Key Features of RepoDB

• Lightweight and Fast ORM for .NET – Unlike traditional ORMs, RepoDB minimizes overhead and maximizes performance, making it an excellent choice for high-performance applications.
• ADO.NET Wrapper – Provides a wrapper around ADO.NET, enabling developers to work with databases in a more readable and maintainable way.
• Supports Multiple Databases – Works with SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, and more.
• SQL Injection Prevention – Uses parameterized queries to mitigate SQL injection risks.
• Dynamic and Strongly Typed Queries – Supports both dynamic and strongly typed database queries.
• Batch Operations – Provides built-in support for bulk insert, update, delete, and merge operations.
• Mapping and Auto-Mapping – Offers efficient mapping mechanisms that reduce the amount of manual mapping code needed.
• Transaction Support – Enables developers to execute transactions seamlessly with less boilerplate code.

Why Choose RepoDB Over Entity Framework?

RepoDB offers an appealing alternative to Entity Framework (EF) in scenarios where performance is critical. Here are some reasons why you might choose RepoDB over EF:

1. Performance – EF generates complex queries, which can slow down execution, whereas RepoDB executes queries with minimal overhead.
2. Simpler Syntax – RepoDB provides a more straightforward API to work directly with SQL while keeping the code readable.
3. Lightweight Footprint – RepoDB has a much smaller footprint compared to EF, making it ideal for microservices and cloud applications.
4. Better Control – Unlike EF, which abstracts away many details, RepoDB gives developers more control over queries and execution.
5. Ease of Use – RepoDB provides a simple API for performing CRUD operations without requiring an extensive learning curve.

Installing RepoDB

To use RepoDB in your .NET project, install it via NuGet:

Install-Package RepoDb

Getting Started with RepoDB

1. Establishing a Database Connection

RepoDB works with DbConnection objects, just like ADO.NET:

using RepoDb;
using System.Data.SqlClient;

string connectionString = "Server=myServer;Database=myDB;User Id=myUser;Password=myPass;";
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    // Database operations go here
}

2. Performing Basic CRUD Operations

Inserting Data with RepoDB

public class Employee
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public string Position { get; set; }
}

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    var employee = new Employee { Name = "John Doe", Position = "Software Engineer" };
    connection.Insert(employee);
}

Querying Data with RepoDB

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    var employees = connection.QueryAll<Employee>();
    foreach (var emp in employees)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"{emp.Id}: {emp.Name} - {emp.Position}");
    }
}

Updating Data Using RepoDB

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    var employee = new Employee { Id = 1, Name = "Jane Doe", Position = "Senior Developer" };
    connection.Update(employee);
}

Deleting Data with RepoDB

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    connection.Delete<Employee>(1);
}

3. Executing Raw SQL Queries in RepoDB

RepoDB allows developers to execute raw SQL queries with ease:

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    var employees = connection.ExecuteQuery<Employee>("SELECT * FROM Employees WHERE Position = @Position", new { Position = "Manager" });
    foreach (var emp in employees)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"{emp.Id}: {emp.Name}");
    }
}

4. Bulk Operations for Performance Optimization

RepoDB provides built-in support for batch processing:

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    var employees = new List<Employee>
    {
        new Employee { Name = "Alice", Position = "Developer" },
        new Employee { Name = "Bob", Position = "Tester" }
    };
    connection.BulkInsert(employees);
}

RepoDB vs Other Micro ORMs

RepoDB competes with other Micro ORMs for .NET like Dapper and PetaPoco.
Here’s how it compares:

Conclusion

RepoDB stands out as an efficient, developer-friendly Micro ORM for .NET applications, providing an excellent alternative to heavy ORMs like Entity Framework. It allows developers to work with databases efficiently while maintaining control, flexibility, and performance.

If you're looking for a lightweight, high-performance ORM that simplifies database interactions while keeping you in control of your SQL, RepoDB is definitely worth considering.

For more information, visit the official RepoDB GitHub Repository and start optimizing your database operations in .NET today!