Question

I have a SQLite Database that I access using System.Data.SQLite. The database is read into my Entity Framework Objectcontext. However, I also need direct access to the database in certain cases.

1. Can I / Should I use the same connection that my Entity Framework object context is using? I.e. ObjectContext.Connection?
2. If yes, how can I access it? Casting Entities.Connection to SQLiteConnection results in “Unable to cast object of type ‘System.Data.EntityClient.EntityConnection’ to type ‘System.Data.SQLite.SQLiteConnection’.”
3. If not, should I create a seperate connection, open it and keep it open for the application duration, or should I open and close the connection every time I want to access the database with it?

Answer 1

ObjectContext.Connection is an EntityConnection. You can get the store connection via:

var sc = ((EntityConnection)ObjectContext.Connection).StoreConnection;

You can cast that to the SQLiteConnection.

It’s OK to use this connection if you need it.

But, as @Chris mentioned, you can just use ObjectContext.ExecuteStoreQuery, etc., if that will do for you.