Entity Framework Plus Batch Delete

This feature is now available on Entity Framework Classic - Delete from Query. Entity Framework Classic is a supported version from the latest EF6 code base. It supports .NET Framework and .NET Core and overcomes some EF limitations by adding tons of must-haves built-in features.

Introduction

Deleting using Entity Framework can be very slow if you need to delete hundreds or thousands of entities. Entities are first loaded in the context before being deleted which is very bad for the performance and then, they are deleted one by one which makes the delete operation even worse.

EF+ Batch Delete deletes multiple rows in a single database roundtrip and without loading entities in the context.

// using Z.EntityFramework.Plus; // Don't forget to include this.

// DELETE all users inactive for 2 years
var date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-2);
ctx.Users.Where(x => x.LastLoginDate < date)
         .Delete();

// DELETE using a BatchSize
var date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-2);
ctx.Users.Where(x => x.LastLoginDate < date)
         .Delete(x => x.BatchSize = 1000);

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Batch Delete

Problem

You need to delete one or millions of records based on a query criteria.

Solution

The Delete IQueryable extension methods deletes rows matching the query criteria without loading entities in the context.

// using Z.EntityFramework.Plus; // Don't forget to include this.

// DELETE all users
ctx.Users.Delete();

// DELETE all users inactive for 2 years
var date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-2);
ctx.Users.Where(x => x.LastLoginDate < date)
         .Delete();

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Batch DeleteAsync

Problem

You need to delete one or millions of records based on a query criteria asynchronously.

Solution

The DeleteAsync IQueryable extension methods deletes asynchronously rows matching the query criteria without loading entities in the context.

// using Z.EntityFramework.Plus; // Don't forget to include this.

// DELETE all users
ctx.Users.DeleteAsync();

// DELETE all users inactive for 2 years
var date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-2);
ctx.Users.Where(x => x.LastLoginDate < date)
         .DeleteAsync();

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Batch Size

Problem

You need to delete millions of records and need to use a batch size to increase performance.

Solution

The BatchSize property sets the amount of rows to delete in a single batch.

Default Value = 4000

// using Z.EntityFramework.Plus; // Don't forget to include this.
var date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-2);
ctx.Users.Where(x => x.LastLoginDate < date)
         .Delete(x => x.BatchSize = 1000);

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Batch Delay Interval

Problem

You need to delete millions of records but also need to pause between batches to let other applications keep on performing their CRUD operations.

Solution

The BatchDelayInterval property sets the amount of time (in milliseconds) to wait before starting the next delete batch.

Default Value = 0

// using Z.EntityFramework.Plus; // Don't forget to include this.

// Pause 2 seconds between every batch
var date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-2);
ctx.Users.Where(x => x.LastLoginDate < date)
         .Delete(x => x.BatchDelayInterval = 2000);

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Executing Interceptor

Problem

You need to log the DbCommand information or change the CommandText, Connection or Transaction before the batch is executed.

Solution

The Executing property intercepts the DbCommand with an action before being executed.

// using Z.EntityFramework.Plus; // Don't forget to include this.

string commandText
var date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-2);
ctx.Users.Where(x => x.LastLoginDate < date)
         .Delete(x => { x.Executing = command => commandText = command.CommandText; });

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EF Core InMemory

Problem

You want to use BatchDelete with In Memory Testing for EF Core.

Solution

Specify a DbContext factory in the BatchDeleteManager to enable BatchDelete with In Memory. A DbContext factory must be

// Options
var db = new DbContextOptionsBuilder();
db.UseInMemoryDatabase();

// Specify InMemory DbContext Factory
BatchDeleteManager.InMemoryDbContextFactory = () => new MyContext(db.Options);

// Use the same code as with Relational Database
var _context = new MyContext(db.Options);
_context.Foos.Delete();

Limitations

• DO NOT support Complex Type
• DO NOT support TPC
• DO NOT support TPH
• DO NOT support TPT

If you need to use one of this feature, you need to use the library Entity Framework Extensions

Requirements

• EF+ Batch Delete: Full version or Standalone version
• Database Provider: SQL Server, SQL Azure (More provider will be added in a close future)
• Entity Framework Version: EF5, EF6, EFCore
• Minimum Framework Version: .NET Framework 4

Conclusion

EF+ Batch Delete is the most efficient way to delete records. You drastically improve your application performance by removing the need to retrieve and load entities in your context and by performing a single database roundtrip instead of one for every record.

Need help getting started? info@zzzprojects.com

We welcome all comments, ideas and suggestions to improve our library.