A ________ is typically used in the Repository pattern to abstract the data layer and promote loose coupling.

In the context of the Repository pattern in Entity Framework, an Interface is typically used to abstract the data layer and promote loose coupling. By defining a contract that describes the behavior and operations supported by the data access layer, interfaces enable consumers of the repository to interact with it without depending on specific implementation details. This abstraction facilitates decoupling between the application logic and the underlying data storage mechanism, enhancing flexibility, maintainability, and testability of the codebase.