How do I view the SQL generated by the Entity Framework?

Solution 1:

For those using Entity Framework 6 and up, if you want to view the output SQL in Visual Studio (like I did) you have to use the new logging/interception functionality.

Adding the following line will spit out the generated SQL (along with additional execution-related details) in the Visual Studio output panel:

using (MyDatabaseEntities context = new MyDatabaseEntities())
{
    context.Database.Log = s => System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(s);
    // query the database using EF here.
}

More information about logging in EF6 in this nifty blog series: http://blog.oneunicorn.com/2013/05/08/ef6-sql-logging-part-1-simple-logging/

Note: Make sure you are running your project in DEBUG mode.

Solution 2:

You can do the following:

IQueryable query = from x in appEntities
             where x.id == 32
             select x;

var sql = ((System.Data.Objects.ObjectQuery)query).ToTraceString();

or in EF6:

var sql = ((System.Data.Entity.Core.Objects.ObjectQuery)query)
            .ToTraceString();

or in EF6.3+:

var sql = ((dynamic)flooringStoresProducts).Sql;

That will give you the SQL that was generated.