EF Core Single Delete

SingleDelete is a FREE extension method provided by Entity Framework Extensions for EF Core and EF6.

It lets you delete a single entity while taking advantage of the same powerful options available in Bulk Delete, such as custom keys, conditional deletes, and more.

Use this method when you only need to delete one entity but still want access to the advanced delete features offered by Entity Framework Extensions.

You can also use SingleDelete in a loop to delete multiple entities for free. While this won't provide the performance benefits of a bulk operation, it allows you to start using the same API and options before deciding whether a bulk solution fits your needs.

Since SingleDelete supports the same options as BulkDelete, most advanced scenarios and customization options are documented in the Bulk Delete documentation.

// @nuget: Z.EntityFramework.Extensions.EFCore
using Z.EntityFramework.Extensions;

// Easy to use
await context.SingleDeleteAsync(customer);

// Easy to customize
await context.SingleDeleteAsync(customer,
    options => options.ColumnPrimaryKeyExpression = x => x.Code);

Online Example

Single Delete Examples

Delete Multiple Entities for Free

While SingleDelete is designed to delete a single entity, you can use it in a loop to delete multiple entities for free.

This can be a great way to start using Entity Framework Extensions and its options without switching to a bulk operation. If performance becomes important later, you can often replace the loop with a single Bulk Delete call.

// @nuget: Z.EntityFramework.Extensions.EFCore
using Z.EntityFramework.Extensions;

foreach (var customer in customers)
{
    context.SingleDelete(customer);
}

Online Example

Delete with a Custom Key

When deleting a single entity, you can use a custom key instead of your entity's mapped primary key to determine which row should be deleted.

This is useful when working with data from external systems where the primary key value is unavailable.

// @nuget: Z.EntityFramework.Extensions.EFCore
using Z.EntityFramework.Extensions;

// Using a custom key
context.SingleDelete(customer,
    options => options.ColumnPrimaryKeyExpression = x => x.Code);

Online Example

Delete Only When Additional Conditions Match

When deleting a single entity, you can add extra conditions to ensure the row is only deleted if specific values still match those stored in the database.

This provides an additional layer of safety when multiple users or systems may be modifying the same data.

// @nuget: Z.EntityFramework.Extensions.EFCore
using Z.EntityFramework.Extensions;

context.SingleDelete(customer,
    options => options.DeleteMatchedAndConditionExpression = x => x.Status);

Online Example

More Examples

Need a scenario not covered here?

SingleDelete shares the same options and customization features as Bulk Delete. Most examples shown in the Bulk Delete documentation can be adapted to SingleDelete by simply replacing the method name.

Many developers start with SingleDelete and later switch to BulkDelete when performance becomes important, without changing their business logic or configuration.

See the Bulk Delete Examples section for additional scenarios and advanced options.

Contact us to discuss your scenario

Summary

In this article, you learned how to use SingleDelete to delete entities with Entity Framework Extensions.

You saw how to:

• Delete a single entity with SingleDelete
• Delete multiple entities for free by using SingleDelete in a loop
• Delete entities by using a custom key
• Delete entities only when additional conditions match
• Reuse the same options and configuration available in BulkDelete

When performance becomes important, you can often switch from SingleDelete to Bulk Delete while keeping the same business logic and options.