ADO.NET Entity Framework

Set of features that build on top of Entity Framework 4.0 Beta 1 (included in .NET Framework 4.0 Beta 1)

Main features

Performance improvements
· Much quicker object query execution
· Simpler generated SQL
· Faster view generation
Easier disconnected operation
· Public, serializable EntityKey property on EntityReference
· ApplyPropertyChanges
· Attach on EntityReference
· Improvements to EntityKey serialization
Extensibility and business logic enhancements
· Partial methods in code generation for property changing and property changed events
· Load with MergeOption
· AssociationChanged Event
Query improvements
· Additional canonical functions for LINQ to Entities
· Apply operator elimination (makes more operations work in SQL Server 2000 and other databases)
· Compiled LINQ query
· ToTraceString() method on ObjectQuery and EntityCommand to facilitate debugging
Other
· Connection management refinements
· Provider interface allows better reasoning about primitive typesSystem requirementsNET Framework 4.0 Beta 1 (Required)
Visual Studio 2010 Beta 1 (Optional, for leveraging design time templates)