MSL Specification

Article
08/29/2011

Mapping specification language (MSL) is an XML-based language that describes the mapping between the conceptual model and storage model of an Entity Framework application.

In an Entity Framework application, mapping metadata is loaded from an .msl file (written in MSL) at build time. The Entity Framework uses mapping metadata at runtime to translate queries against the conceptual model to store-specific commands.

Note

The Entity Data Model Designer (Entity Designer) stores mapping information in an .edmx file at design time. At build time, the Entity Designer uses information in an .edmx file to create the .msl file that is needed by the Entity Framework at runtime. For more information, see .edmx File Overview.

Names of all conceptual or storage model types that are referenced in MSL must be qualified by their respective namespace names. For information about the conceptual model namespace name, see Schema Element (CSDL). For information about the storage model namespace name, see Schema Element (SSDL).