EF4 Code First: how to add a relationship without adding a navigation property

Question

How should I define relationships using Code First but without using any navigation properties?

Previously I have defined One-Many and Many-Many by using navigation

Answer 1

You can use the fluent api to add the relationship, though the "configuration" code is separate from the entity code making it less discoverable.

Answer 2

I believe you always need navigation property on at least one side when using code-first. Then you will be able to map it:

public class User  
{     
    public string UserId { get; set; }     
    public string PasswordHash { get; set; }     
    public bool IsDisabled { get; set; }     
    public DateTime AccessExpiryDate { get; set; }     
    public bool MustChangePassword { get; set; }      
    public int RoleId { get; set; }
    public Role Role { get; set; }
}  

public class Role 
{     
    public int RoleId { get; set; }     
    public string Name { get; set; }     
    public string Description { get; set; } 
}  

public class Right 
{     
    public Guid RightId { get; set; }     
    public string Name { get; set; }     
    public string Description { get; set; }      
    public int RoleId { get; set; }
    public Role Role { get; set; }
} 

public class TestContext : DbContext
{
    public TestContext() : base("Entities")
    {}

    protected override void  OnModelCreating(System.Data.Entity.ModelConfiguration.ModelBuilder modelBuilder)
    {
        base.OnModelCreating(modelBuilder);

        modelBuilder.Entity<User>()
            .HasRequired(r => r.Role)
            .WithMany()
            .HasForeignKey(r => r.RoleId);

        modelBuilder.Entity<Right>()
            .HasRequired(r => r.Role)
            .WithMany()
            .HasForeignKey(r => r.RoleId);
    }
}

Answer 3

In EF 4.3, you can add a Migration that adds the relationship.