In order to use the ADO.NET Entity Framework effectively, you must understand its value-based data model, which is distinctly different from the SQL and ORM approaches to representing and querying data. Programmers who approach the Entity Framework as "just another ORM" often find themselves frustrated or disappointed, a common reaction to trying to force a square peg into a round hole. This presentation examines the Entity Data Model in-depth, explaining where it fits into the context of a larger application, and demonstrates different techniques for retrieving and altering data. Also covered are performance considerations and future directions.