How do you perform basic CRUD operations in EF Core?

Updated Apr 28, 2026

Short answer

CRUD is handled by DbSet methods: Add() for Create, LINQ for Read, modifying objects for Update, and Remove() for Delete.

Deep explanation

  1. Create: Add an entity to the DbSet. 2. Read: Use LINQ (e.g., FirstOrDefault) to fetch data. 3. Update: Modify a tracked entity; EF Core detects the change. 4. Delete: Pass the entity to the Remove method. Finally, call SaveChangesAsync() to execute the SQL.

Real-world example

A REST API controller that supports POST, GET, PUT, and DELETE endpoints for managing products.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting to call SaveChanges() after modifying entities, resulting in no database updates.

Follow-up questions

  • Does Find() hit the database immediately?

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