I have a local database developed in Postgres 9.3. The Postgres server name on my computer is just "localhost". I would like to use the Entity Framework 6 Designer that is built into Visual Studio 13 to automatically generate a data model of EF classes and properties that correspond to the database tables and columns.
As described in various web articles, and using Nuget package manager, I added onto VS 13 these extensions or packages: EF 6, Npgsql, Npgsql Data Provider for EF 6, and Dotconnect express for Postgresql. Afterwards, in the VS 13 Server Explorer window, I was able to connect and see my Postgres tables and columns.
However, I cannot seem to get the EF Designer Wizard to automatically generate the .edmx file. I tried adding an ADO.net data object, selecting "EF Designer from Database" and alternatively, "Code First from Database." When I got to the next screen, I had to choose a Data Source. I tried both "MS SQL Server Database File" and alternatively, "Other." For the Data Provider, there was no other option than ".Net Data Provider for SQL."
In the next screen I tried to create a connection, using SQL server authentication, with user name and password, but I could never get VS 13 to connect or even display the Postgres server like it did in Server Explorer window. For the Server Name I used the same one as I used for the Server Explorer window, ie. localhost.mydatabasename.myschema. For the SQL User, I used the owner of the Postgres database, a Role I created, ie. mydatabasename_role.
When that faied, I tried going into MS SQL Management Studio 2014 to see if I could display the Postgres server there, using the same info used in the Server Explorer window, but I could not get SSMS to display the Postgres server there either. Is there a way to automatically generate the data model and .edmx file as I have been trying, using just VS 13 and SSMS 14? Or do I need to purchase the proprietary / licensed version of dotconnect for Postgres developed by Devart? Thank you in advance.
A Visual Studio plugin is currently being developed which supports the EF Designer Wizard. You can find it here: https://github.com/npgsql/Npgsql/pull/213