How does Entity Framework utilize caching when retrieving the same entity multiple times in a single context?

  • It caches entities only once per context and serves subsequent requests from memory.
  • It invalidates the cache and fetches the entity again from the database.
  • It re-executes the query against the database each time the entity is requested, ensuring data freshness.
  • It stores entities in memory for the duration of the context, allowing quick retrieval when requested again.
Entity Framework utilizes the first-level cache, also known as the ObjectStateManager, to store entities retrieved during a context's lifespan. When an entity is requested multiple times within the same context, Entity Framework fetches it from the cache rather than executing a new query, improving performance.

What happens in Entity Framework when you query an entity that has already been retrieved in the current context?

  • It fetches the entity from the database again, ignoring any previously retrieved instances.
  • It merges the changes from the database into the tracked entity, ensuring data consistency.
  • It returns the entity from the cache, avoiding a database round trip.
  • It throws an exception indicating that the entity is already being tracked by the context.
Entity Framework utilizes its change tracking mechanism to detect changes made to entities within the context. When an entity is queried again, Entity Framework returns the already retrieved instance from the cache, ensuring data consistency and avoiding unnecessary database queries.

How does Entity Framework handle second-level caching?

  • By default, Entity Framework does not support second-level caching
  • Entity Framework generates cache files on the disk
  • Entity Framework provides built-in support for second-level caching
  • Entity Framework relies on third-party libraries for caching
Entity Framework provides built-in support for second-level caching. It allows caching query results in memory or using external caching providers like Redis. This improves performance by reducing database round trips and query execution time.

In Entity Framework, how is caching affected when using raw SQL queries?

  • Raw SQL queries bypass caching mechanisms
  • Raw SQL queries have no impact on caching
  • Raw SQL queries improve caching performance
  • Raw SQL queries utilize caching mechanisms
Raw SQL queries bypass caching mechanisms in Entity Framework. When using raw SQL queries, Entity Framework does not utilize its caching mechanisms, which can lead to reduced performance compared to using Entity Framework's query caching capabilities.

How can distributed caching be implemented in an application using Entity Framework?

  • Implementing a custom caching provider
  • Using caching mechanisms provided by Entity Framework
  • Utilizing a third-party caching solution
  • Utilizing database-level caching
Implementing distributed caching in an application using Entity Framework involves creating a custom caching provider. This provider interfaces with the caching infrastructure to store and retrieve data from a distributed cache. This approach allows for flexibility in choosing the caching solution and provides control over caching strategies tailored to the specific application needs.

What are the potential issues with cache synchronization in a distributed Entity Framework application?

  • Data inconsistency due to outdated cache entries
  • Difficulty in managing cache invalidation across multiple instances
  • Increased network latency during cache synchronization
  • Scalability issues with cache storage
Cache synchronization in distributed Entity Framework applications can pose challenges, particularly regarding cache invalidation. Ensuring consistency across multiple cache instances and managing cache expiration to reflect changes in the underlying data can be complex. Inadequate synchronization strategies may lead to data inconsistency and stale cache entries, impacting application reliability and performance.

Describe the process of implementing a custom caching provider in Entity Framework.

  • Creating a class that extends the DbContext class
  • Developing a class that implements the IDbDependencyResolver interface
  • Implementing interfaces provided by Entity Framework for caching
  • Overriding caching methods in Entity Framework
Implementing a custom caching provider in Entity Framework involves developing a class that implements the IDbDependencyResolver interface. This interface allows customization of the caching mechanism used by Entity Framework, enabling integration with external caching solutions or the development of custom caching strategies tailored to application requirements. By implementing IDbDependencyResolver, developers can manage caching behavior and optimize performance based on specific use cases.

Entity Framework uses ________ caching to store query results for the duration of the context.

  • deferred
  • eager
  • explicit
  • lazy
Entity Framework primarily utilizes "eager" caching to store query results. In eager loading, related entities are loaded along with the primary entity, improving performance by reducing database round-trips.

To optimize performance, ________ caching can be used to store entity data across different requests.

  • deferred
  • eager
  • explicit
  • lazy
"Deferred" caching is utilized in Entity Framework to optimize performance by storing entity data across different requests. Deferred loading allows related entities to be loaded only when accessed, enhancing efficiency.

In Entity Framework, data annotations like ________ can be used to configure caching behavior on entities.

  • Cache
  • Cacheable
  • Cached
  • CachingEnabled
Data annotations such as "CachingEnabled" can be employed in Entity Framework to configure caching behavior on entities. By setting the "CachingEnabled" annotation, caching can be enabled or disabled for specific entities.