How do you choose between code first, database first, or model first approaches with EF and MVVM?

In general, the code first approach is preferred when you have a complex domain model, and you want more control over the database schema.

code first and db first approaches we can use with MVVM as per the requirements. if you are going to work with existing db then db first is best choice. you can manually update db schema and it will reflect to your model classes. if developing new application then code first approach is good choice. you will have more control through the code as mention manual db update not possible. using Model first approach in this case makes design complex as you need to maintain db and classes as per your workflow design.. difficult to modify.

The choice between code, database, or model first approaches with EF and MVVM depends on the specific requirements of your project. Code First: This approach is suitable when you require flexibility to modify data models and is ideal for agile dev Database First: This approach is suitable when your database undergoes minimal changes and you are not using agile methodology. Also good for migrating legacy projects Model First: As a hybrid approach, it is good even when you do not have a pre-existing database. You can work on both code and database simultaneously, but it is more complex and hard maintain The most appropriate approach for your project will depend on the specific requirements, taking into account the factors mentioned above

When deciding between Code First, Database First, or Model First with Entity Framework (EF) and MVVM, I base my choice on the project’s needs. Code First works best for new projects, giving flexibility in designing the database with easy updates. Database First is ideal for working with an existing database to keep everything in sync. Model First is handy for visualizing the database schema, which helps when working with others. So, I would say the right approach depends on the project's requirements and the current setup.

The database-first approach is a popular choice, particularly when working with an existing database schema. It allows developers to generate a domain model quickly, saving time in the development process. By starting with an existing database schema, the model classes and relationships accurately reflect the structure of the database, leading to better accuracy and easier maintenance. Additionally, any changes made to the database schema can be easily reflected in the generated model classes. This approach is useful for integrating with legacy systems or external databases. Overall, the database-first approach can be an efficient option that helps developers to save time, improve accuracy, and facilitate maintenance and integration.

Choosing the database-first approach means you start by designing your database schema before writing any code. It's handy if you have an existing database or prefer graphical tools for model design. EF then generates classes to match the schema. While the EF designer allows customization, it may become challenging if you need to modify code or the database separately. It's not ideal if you plan on utilizing features not supported by the EF designer. So, database first is great for existing structures but might pose challenges in maintaining flexibility and leveraging advanced EF features.

However this approach Model first is not very populair, it is in my opinion the best fit for MVVM architecture. If you design your frontend based on models and later plan how your models are stored as data. You can choose what dataproviders to use in a later state of development.

Both the code-first and database-first approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages. One thing that we must consider is: that sometimes we have complex relationships between tables in our database and representing it in our code may not be a trivial task.