SqlBulkCopy and Entity Framework

Question

My current project consists of 3 standard layers: data, business, and presentation. I would like to use data entities for all my data access needs. Part of the functionality of the app will that it will need to copy all data within a flat file into a database. The file is not so big so I can use SqlBulkCopy. I have found several articles regarding the usage of SqlBulkCopy class in .NET. However, all the articles are using DataTables to move data back and forth.

Is there a way to use data entities along with SqlBulkCopy or will I have to use DataTables?

Answer 1

You'll need to convert the Entities to a IDataReader or DataTable.

There is a small helper class designed to assist with with: http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/LinqEntityDataReader/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=389

EDIT: msdn link is broken, alt copy can be found here: https://github.com/matthewschrager/Repository/blob/master/Repository.EntityFramework/EntityDataReader.cs

Then you can use SqlBulkCopy like so:

var sbCopy= new SqlBulkCopy(connectionString);
sbCopy.DestinationTableName = "TableName";
sbCopy.WriteToServer(entitiesList.AsDataReader());