Now, this Dapper thing might seem like a mystery at first. You write code, you struggle, but there are moments when you can’t quite decide which toolset to keep in your toolbox, and it feels like Dapper comes into play right there. Anyway, folks, I’ve been in this business for about 10 years, working with C# and REST APIs, you know how it is… And I have to admit, at one point, ORM stuff kind of overwhelmed me. I mean, I was writing tons of code for each operation, and I felt like I was losing control of the situation.
ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) is basically for matching database objects with code objects… It’s nice, very useful. But sometimes it gets so complicated that it feels like trying to fly a plane instead of just driving a car. You know, so many concepts, settings, layers… For example, Entity Framework makes things easier but can sometimes be slow performance-wise. And that performance issue always bugs us, right? The faster your app is, the happier your users are, otherwise they wait, wait, and then complain, “What is this mess!”
That’s where micro-ORMs come in. Dapper is among the most popular of these micro-ORMs. So, what’s the difference? Well, here’s where the real fun begins. Micro-ORM means less abstraction, more control. You write your own SQL queries, and Dapper helps transform those into objects. Think of Dapper as a translator; you give it a message, and it translates it into machine language, sends it to the database, and then translates the response back into a format you understand.
Let’s expand a bit on this. Dapper’s biggest advantage is speed. It’s really incredible. Because it simply runs a basic SQL query in the background, you get the results quickly. Sometimes, when you want to fix something, a single move suffices, and Dapper can significantly boost your app’s performance. It’s optimized so much that it feels like you’re talking directly to the database. This also speeds up development because you can fetch exactly the data you want without fussing over complex queries.
Now, let’s see how we do it. Everyone says, “Code example needed,” so here it is. Normally, with an ORM like Entity Framework, you might write:
// WRONG APPROACH (with ORM, more code)
var user = await _context.Users.FirstOrDefaultAsync(u => u.Id == id);
if (user == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
return Ok(user);
// That’s understandable, right? But sometimes, instead of writing so much code, we want to fetch data directly. That’s where Dapper’s difference comes into play. Using Dapper, it becomes simpler and much faster. The main thing is writing the correct SQL query. I will show an example that works on SQL Server.
Actually, I’m not entirely sure, but Dapper’s asynchronous methods are really great. They prevent blocking your application. And that’s crucial for user experience. Imagine your app freezing while waiting for a process—that would be so frustrating, right?
Now, the RIGHT and FASTER approach with Dapper:
// CORRECT APPROACH (with Dapper, less code, more speed)
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(_connectionString))
{
var user = await connection.QueryFirstOrDefaultAsync<User>(
“SELECT Id, Name, Surname, Email FROM Users WHERE Id = @UserId”,
new { UserId = id });
if (user == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
return Ok(user);
}
See how it’s much fewer lines! And of course, the performance difference is noticeable. The method `QueryFirstOrDefaultAsync` runs the SQL query and retrieves the first matching `User` object. The `new { UserId = id }` part binds the SQL parameter, ensuring protection against SQL injection. Completely safe and fast.
Why is Dapper so important? Especially in projects where performance is critical. Imagine an e-commerce site where every millisecond counts. Users want to see products quickly, add to cart fast. In such cases, Dapper provides the speed and flexibility you need. Honestly, I use Dapper in my projects when speed matters, and sometimes I switch to Entity Framework when I need the convenience. Both tools are excellent when used appropriately. The key is knowing when to use which.
By the way, Dapper supports various databases besides SQL Server, like PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc., so you’re not tied to one technology. You can find examples for different databases with a quick search, like here.
In conclusion, Dapper isn’t a miracle tool, but when used correctly, it’s incredibly helpful. Especially if performance and flexibility are your priorities, it’s worth trying out. Imagine it as a superpower in your toolkit. Of course, there’s a learning curve, but trust me, after some effort, you’ll say, “Glad I learned this!” Isn’t that nice?