EF Core & MS SQL Server

Building high-performance, maintainable data layers using EF Core and SQL Server with clean architectural patterns.

I specialize in designing data layers that balance performance, integrity, and simplicity using Entity Framework Core (EF Core) and Microsoft SQL Server.
My approach focuses on clean domain models, efficient queries, and testable persistence layers that scale from small applications to multi-tenant SaaS systems.

Why EF Core & SQL Server

EF Core combines productivity with power — it abstracts repetitive data access code while allowing complete control over SQL and schema design.
SQL Server, on the other hand, offers enterprise-grade reliability and deep integration with Azure, making it an ideal choice for robust, cloud-ready backends.

Core Areas of Expertise

  • Data Modeling & Design — Structuring entities, value objects, and relationships that align with business rules.
  • Migrations & Versioning — Managing schema evolution using EF Core Migrations and Fluent API.
  • Query Optimization — Writing efficient LINQ queries, projections, and async pipelines.
  • Repository & Specification Patterns — Encapsulating persistence logic with testable abstractions.
  • Transactions & Concurrency — Handling atomic operations, optimistic concurrency, and unit of work.
  • Soft Deletes & Auditing — Implementing audit trails and historical data tracking.
  • Multi-Tenancy Support — Schema-per-tenant and discriminator-based strategies using EF Core.
  • Performance Profiling — Query analysis with EF Profiler, MiniProfiler, and logging interceptors.

Typical Deliverables

  • Well-structured EF Core layers integrated with Clean Architecture
  • Optimized queries with proper indexing and caching
  • Domain-driven persistence with aggregates and value objects
  • Automated migration & seeding pipelines for CI/CD
  • Secure SQL Server configurations in Azure SQL Database

Code Quality & Testing

  • Integration Tests: EF Core InMemory / Testcontainers setup for isolated DB tests.
  • Repository Tests: Validating specifications and query filters.
  • Data Seeding: Consistent initial state for reproducible test runs.
  • CI/CD Validation: Automated migrations applied via GitHub Actions before deploy.

Cloud & DevOps Integration

  • Azure SQL Database — Configured for production & elastic pools.
  • Connection Resiliency: Retries, pooling, and managed identities.
  • App Insights Integration: Monitoring DB performance and slow queries.
  • Backup & Recovery: Automated snapshot strategies for enterprise data safety.

My philosophy for data access is simple — keep the domain clean, let EF Core handle the plumbing, and optimize where it matters.
Every system I design is benchmarked for both performance and maintainability, ensuring a data layer that’s future-proof and developer-friendly.

See It in Action:

Tech Stack: EF Core 8 · SQL Server · Azure SQL · LINQ · Fluent API · Clean Architecture