Question

I am going to use SQL Server in my project, for that I want to select an ORM with it. I have some experience with NHibernate as an ORM. In fact, given the nature of that project ( MySQL the backend) NHibernate is really, the only choice.

I have also used strongly typed dataset as my ORM, and that’s having Microsoft Access as the backend. I have also some experience with LINQ2SQL.

Now, I know, all paths lead to Rome; a lot of ORMs can handle sql server well. But I want the best ORM in terms of

1. Development time. That is, drag and drop designer that maps my entity classes to the database schema. So that if I change my schema my entity classes are updated automatically.
2. Multiple database Support. The ORM must be able to handle multiple databases queries, in an optimum way. Also, multiple connection string support must be done easily too.
3. Extensibility. If I want to add a query than I don’t want to mess with the designer files; they are a pain in neck to ruffle with.

That’s probably it. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Based on his requirements, LLBLGen is the way to go. Be aware that there are big differences between LLBL and NH. LLBL is ORM/Generator, your entities will have a lot of code pre-generated, and it starts from the database. So if drag and drop is what you want then by all means use LLBL.