Comparing LINQ to SQL with LINQ to Entities

Now we know what LINQ to Entities is and what LINQ to SQL is. Next in this section, let's compare these two technologies.

As described earlier, LINQ to Entities applications work against a conceptual data model (EDM). All mappings between the languages and the databases go through the new EntityClient mapping provider. The application no longer connects directly to a database or sees any database-specific constructs. The entire application operates in terms of the higher level EDM.

This means that you can no longer use the native database query language. Not only will the database not understand the EDM model, but also current database query languages do not have the constructs required to deal with the elements introduced by EDM such as inheritance, relationships, complex-types, and so on.

On the other hand, for developers who do not require mapping to a conceptual model LINQ to SQL enables developers to experience the LINQ programming model directly...