Title: EF Core 9 Migrations Extremely Slow And Causing System Freezes

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Introduction

Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a popular Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework for .NET developers. It provides a powerful and flexible way to interact with databases, making it an essential tool for many .NET applications. However, with the release of EF Core 9, some developers have reported significant performance issues when working with migrations. In this article, we will explore the issue of slow EF Core 9 migrations and potential solutions to resolve it.

Project Details

To better understand the issue, let's take a closer look at the project details:

  • ASP.NET MVC project: The project is built using the ASP.NET MVC framework, which is a popular web application framework for .NET.
  • Targeting .NET 9: The project is targeting .NET 9, which is the latest version of the .NET framework.
  • EF Core 9: The project is using EF Core 9, which is the latest version of the Entity Framework Core ORM framework.
  • Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.SqlServer: The project is using the Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.SqlServer package, which is a provider for SQL Server databases.
  • Approximately 50 entities with simple relationships: The project has approximately 50 entities, each with simple relationships to other entities.
  • Around 20 existing migration files: The project has around 20 existing migration files, which are used to manage the database schema.

Issue Description

The issue with EF Core 9 migrations is that they are extremely slow and can cause the system to freeze. When adding or updating migrations, the system can take up to 5 minutes or more to complete the operation. During this time, CPU usage spikes, and the system becomes unresponsive. This issue significantly hampers productivity, especially when needing to create multiple migrations.

Troubleshooting Steps Taken

To troubleshoot the issue, the following steps were taken:

  • Verified that the dotnet-ef tool version matches the EF Core version: The dotnet-ef tool version was verified to match the EF Core version.
  • Attempted to consolidate migrations to reduce their number: The number of migrations was reduced by consolidating them.
  • Reviewed entity models to simplify complex relationships: The entity models were reviewed to simplify complex relationships.
  • Monitored system resources to identify potential bottlenecks: System resources were monitored to identify potential bottlenecks.

Despite these efforts, the problem persists. A similar issue was reported on GitHub, but it appears to be closed without a resolution.

Request

To resolve this performance regression in EF Core 9 migrations, a thorough investigation is needed. If additional information or a minimal reproducible example is needed, the author is willing to provide it.

Potential Solutions

Based on the issue description and troubleshooting steps taken, the following potential solutions can be explored:

  • Optimize the migration process: The migration process can be optimized by reducing the number of migrations, simplifying complex relationships, and improving the performance of the dotnet-ef tool.
  • Use a different database provider: A different database provider, such as Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.MySql, can be used to see if the issue is to the SQL Server provider.
  • Upgrade to a newer version of EF Core: Upgrading to a newer version of EF Core, such as EF Core 10, can be tried to see if the issue is resolved.
  • Use a different ORM framework: A different ORM framework, such as Dapper, can be used to see if the issue is specific to EF Core.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of slow EF Core 9 migrations is a significant performance regression that hampers productivity. Despite troubleshooting efforts, the problem persists. A thorough investigation is needed to resolve this issue. Potential solutions include optimizing the migration process, using a different database provider, upgrading to a newer version of EF Core, and using a different ORM framework.

Recommendations

Based on the issue description and troubleshooting steps taken, the following recommendations can be made:

  • Use a different database provider: Consider using a different database provider, such as Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.MySql, to see if the issue is specific to the SQL Server provider.
  • Upgrade to a newer version of EF Core: Consider upgrading to a newer version of EF Core, such as EF Core 10, to see if the issue is resolved.
  • Use a different ORM framework: Consider using a different ORM framework, such as Dapper, to see if the issue is specific to EF Core.

Future Work

Future work includes:

  • Investigating the issue further: Investigating the issue further to identify the root cause and potential solutions.
  • Providing a minimal reproducible example: Providing a minimal reproducible example to help others reproduce the issue and test potential solutions.
  • Collaborating with the EF Core team: Collaborating with the EF Core team to resolve the issue and improve the performance of EF Core 9 migrations.
    EF Core 9 Migrations Extremely Slow and Causing System Freezes: Q&A ====================================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of slow EF Core 9 migrations and potential solutions to resolve it. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address common questions and concerns related to this issue.

Q: What is the root cause of the slow EF Core 9 migrations?

A: The root cause of the slow EF Core 9 migrations is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed to be related to changes in the EF Core 9 migration process, which can lead to increased CPU usage and system freezes.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the issue?

A: To troubleshoot the issue, you can try the following steps:

  • Verify that the dotnet-ef tool version matches the EF Core version.
  • Attempt to consolidate migrations to reduce their number.
  • Review entity models to simplify complex relationships.
  • Monitor system resources to identify potential bottlenecks.

Q: What are some potential solutions to resolve the issue?

A: Some potential solutions to resolve the issue include:

  • Optimizing the migration process by reducing the number of migrations, simplifying complex relationships, and improving the performance of the dotnet-ef tool.
  • Using a different database provider, such as Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.MySql.
  • Upgrading to a newer version of EF Core, such as EF Core 10.
  • Using a different ORM framework, such as Dapper.

Q: Can I use a different ORM framework to resolve the issue?

A: Yes, you can use a different ORM framework, such as Dapper, to resolve the issue. However, this may require significant changes to your application and may not be feasible in all cases.

Q: How can I provide a minimal reproducible example to help others reproduce the issue?

A: To provide a minimal reproducible example, you can create a new project that reproduces the issue and share it with the community. This can help others to reproduce the issue and test potential solutions.

Q: How can I collaborate with the EF Core team to resolve the issue?

A: To collaborate with the EF Core team, you can:

  • Report the issue on the EF Core GitHub repository.
  • Provide a minimal reproducible example to help the team reproduce the issue.
  • Participate in discussions on the EF Core GitHub repository to help identify potential solutions.

Q: What is the current status of the issue?

A: The current status of the issue is that it is still being investigated by the EF Core team. No official resolution has been announced yet.

Q: When can I expect a resolution to the issue?

A: It is difficult to predict when a resolution to the issue will be available. However, the EF Core team is actively working on resolving the issue and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of slow EF Core 9 migrations is a significant performance regression that hampers productivity. By understanding the root cause of the issue and exploring potential solutions, developers can take steps to resolve the issue and the performance of their applications. We hope that this Q&A article has provided valuable information and insights to help developers address this issue.