Managing Database Changes with Entity Framework Core Migrations

Every evolving application requires a reliable way to update its database schema without losing critical data. This text-only course provides a clear, structured pathway to understanding and managing Entity Framework Core migrations. You will learn how to align your C# data models with your database structure safely and efficiently, even as your application requirements change.\n\nThrough comprehensive written explanations and code examples, you will learn to navigate the entire migration lifecycle. You will start with the fundamental concepts of Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) and migration tracking before moving on to practical schema modifications.\n\nWhat you'll learn:\n- Understand the core architecture of EF Core migrations and how metadata tables track database state\n- Apply schema changes including adding, renaming, and deleting properties and entities\n- Generate clean, optimized SQL scripts for deployment to live production environments\n- Handle complex data motion scenarios to prevent data loss during destructive schema updates\n- Implement modern EF Core best practices including global query filters and nullable reference types\n- Resolve migration conflicts in collaborative team environments\n\nThis course begins with essential database definitions and configuration basics, gradually building up to advanced deployment workflows and command-line tooling. It is designed specifically for software developers, backend engineers, and database administrators who are already familiar with basic C# and .NET but are new to managing database state with EF Core. No prior experience with migrations is required.