Generic or Specific Repositories: Which Approach is Best for Your SQL Database?

SQL database warehousing model: best practices for generic warehousing and specific warehousing

Background

When implementing the repository pattern for a SQL database, many developers face a question: should you create a repository for each entity, or implement a generic repository for the context?

Recommendation: Avoid using generic repositories

Although Programming with Mosh recommends using one repository per domain, in practice, using generic repositories is generally not recommended. This is because generic warehousing will cause the following problems:

• Lack of domain-specific features: Generic repositories cannot capture specific behaviors associated with different entity types. Not all entities can be added, deleted, or updated. Additionally, they may have unique query requirements.
• ORM functional redundancy: Most ORMs, such as Entity Framework, already provide functionality similar to generic repositories. Creating additional generic repositories is redundant.
• Inefficiency: Generic repositories add unnecessary layers of abstraction, increasing code complexity and reducing performance.

Per-entity warehousing: a better way

It is recommended to create a specific repository for each entity instead of using a generic repository. This allows you to:

• Encapsulate domain-specific logic: Each repository can implement specific queries and operations for its respective entity type.
• Provide clearer hierarchical concerns: Warehousing separates data access concerns from business logic.
• Support complex data access scenarios: Warehousing can handle scenarios such as composite keys and specific field updates.

Conclusion

While the choice of using a generic repository or a specific repository often depends on the specific needs of each project, it is generally recommended to avoid using generic repositories. Per-entity warehousing provides a more efficient and easier to maintain approach that encapsulates domain-specific features and cleanly separates data access from business logic.

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