Reduce EF Core application startup time via compiled models

This an “epic” issue for the theme of generating a compiled model with fast loading and access times. Specific pieces of work will be tracked by linked issues.

Proposed for 6.0

Used by calling new tool commands (all parameters are optional)

dotnet ef dbcontext optimize -c MyContext -o MyFolder -n My.Namespace

Optimize-DbContext -Context MyContext -OutputDir MyFolder -Namespace My.Namespace

• Add runtime annotation support to model #22031
• Convert metadata extension methods to default interface implementations. #19213
• Create a read-optimized implementation of IModel that can be used as the base for the compiled model #8258
• Add API to set custom implementation types instead of objects
  • ValueGenerator (store non-lambda configuration separately)
  • ValueComparer and ValueConverter
• Implement a generator that outputs the source code for a custom model implementation
  • Throw when the model contains non-serializable configuration like lambdas, proxy types and non-serializable expressions. Or if it’s using a read-optimized implementation.
  • Generate #nullable enable
  • Warn when using a model generated by an older version.
  • Warn when using a non-default model cache key.

Backlog

• Consider discovering the model automatically instead of requiring ‘UseModel’, by using assembly-level attribute (#24893)
• Consider adding a MsBuild task to generate the model at build-time (#24894)
• Either move the members from the pubternal model interfaces to the public ones, so that they can have non-dynamic implementations or add a runtime annotation-based backup implementation. (#24895)
• Generate compiled relational model (#24896)
  • Add tests that assert the relational model, view, query mapping and default mappings
• Generate code for query filters when possible. (#24897)
• Generate constructor bindings (#24898)
• Generate code that builds the model lazily (#24899)
• Rely on static binding instead of reflection for properties and fields (#24900)
• Split out the mutable model implementation to a different assembly as it’s not needed when using compiled model (#24901)
• Generate custom lazy loading and change tracking proxy types. (#24902)
• Generate lambdas used in change tracking (#24904)
• Generate code that normally depends on reflection types in the model (Type, MemberInfo, etc.) to avoid all reflection at runtime (#24903)

[tobiasbunyan]

Never mind the load time on a live application, the crippling amount of time you have to wait each time you start a debug session slashes productivity to almost nothing!!! This needs sorting out BIG TIME!

[lemkepf]

Any updates on if this will be added into EF Core any time soon?