Resolving DbContext Sculpting Errors with SQL Server Compatibility Levels

Описание: Facing issues with DbContext scaffolding in EF Core? Discover the solution to "Invalid column name" error messages and get your project back on track!
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/73108087/ asked by the user 'Kunal' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/16271790/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/73108313/ provided by the user 'ErikEJ' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/183934/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Understanding DbContext Scaffolding and Common Errors

If you are working on an ASP.NET Core project and using Entity Framework Core (EF Core), you might come across a situation where you are trying to scaffold your database context but encounter an error with an invalid column name. This problem often stems from database compatibility issues—especially if you are using an outdated version of SQL Server. In this guide, we will delve into the error you might face when running the Scaffold-DbContext command, how to interpret that error, and provide a clear solution to resolve it.

The Problem

When you attempt to run the following command for scaffolding your DbContext:

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You may receive an error message similar to the one below:

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This error can be confusing, but it typically points to the fact that your database is either outdated or does not meet the compatibility requirements needed by EF Core.

The Solution

1. Check SQL Server Version

EF Core does not support SQL Server 2005 or databases with a compatibility level under 110. To confirm your current SQL Server version, you can execute the following SQL command in your database management tool:

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If your version is earlier than SQL Server 2012 (which corresponds to compatibility level 110), you will need to either upgrade your SQL Server instance or migrate your database to a supported version.

2. Alter the Compatibility Level

If you are on a supported version of SQL Server but still experiencing issues, you may need to change the compatibility level of your database. You can do this by running the following SQL command (replace database_name with the actual name of your database):

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3. Verify Changes

After altering the compatibility level, re-run the Scaffold-DbContext command. The error concerning "Invalid column name" should no longer appear. With the correct compatibility level set, EF Core should now successfully scaffold the DbContext and models you need for your project.

Conclusion

DbContext scaffolding is a powerful feature in EF Core that helps developers work with databases efficiently. However, issues like the one we've discussed can hinder progress. By ensuring that your SQL Server is up to date and correctly configured, you can avoid these errors and streamline your development process. Don’t forget, keeping your database environment in line with the requirements of your tools is crucial for effective programming.

Feel free to reach out with any further questions about Entity Framework Core or related issues, and happy coding!