How can I pass model to an access data layer/EF Core project from a separate .NET Web API Core project

Mikhail 41 Reputation points
2023-07-26T02:30:08.7033333+00:00

I have a design question; thus, no code samples

I am trying to create a Web API Core project that would use an EF Core to communicate with a database. I read about the Data Access design pattern and realize that I have to place a Web API project into a separate project from a data access project (EF Core).

I would reference a data access project (EF Core) from a Web API project and would pass a model to an EF Core project for that model to be mapped to an entity

My question is, at what project should I conduct the mapping, at the Web API project or at the data access project/EF Core?

If the mapping needs to be done at the data access layer/EF Core, how can I access/recognize the model at the EF Core project since the EF core cannot reference the Web API (Mo circular reference)

Thank you very much in advance

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  1. Zhi Lv - MSFT 32,141 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2023-07-26T08:41:09.7333333+00:00

    Hi @Mikhail

    My question is, at what project should I conduct the mapping, at the Web API project or at the data access project/EF Core?

    Both of the API project and the Data Access Project could use to do the mapping, it depends on your choice.

    If the mapping needs to be done at the data access layer/EF Core, how can I access/recognize the model at the EF Core project since the EF core cannot reference the Web API (Mo circular reference)

    If the mapping needs to be done at the data access layer/EF Core, you have to put the DTO model class in the Data Access Project.

    If the mapping at the API project, the DTO model classes are in the API project and the data base entities are in the Data Access project, before calling the Data Access project's method, you have to convert the DTO model to the database entity, and then execute the related method.

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    Best regards,

    Dillion

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