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What is explicit loading?

Q: What is explicit loading?

Short answer: When & how to use it? Explicit loading means loading related data manually, after the main entity is loaded. Use when: You need full control over what and when to load You don’t want automatic lazy loading Example code var blog = context.Blogs.First(); context.Entry(blog) .Collection(b => b.Posts) .Load(); context.Entry(blog) .Reference(b => b.Owner) .Load(); ✅ Use .Reference().Load() for single navigation ✅ Use .Collection().Load() for collections Real-world example (ShopNest) ShopNest’s order service uses EF Core to save an Order and its line items in one SaveChangesAsync() call inside a transaction. Say this in the interview Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above). Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work. Trade-off — when you would not use it.

Short answer: When & how to use it? Explicit loading means loading related data manually, after the main entity is loaded. Use when: You need full control over what and when to load You don’t want automatic lazy loading

Example code

var blog = context.Blogs.First(); context.Entry(blog) .Collection(b => b.Posts) .Load(); context.Entry(blog) .Reference(b => b.Owner) .Load(); ✅ Use .Reference().Load() for single navigation ✅ Use .Collection().Load() for collections

Real-world example (ShopNest)

ShopNest’s order service uses EF Core to save an Order and its line items in one SaveChangesAsync() call inside a transaction.

Say this in the interview

Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
Trade-off — when you would not use it.

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