No, not really. You can forget about all the diagramming, etc. Use EF Code First (the default for MVC). Do the MVC Music Store walk-through http://www.asp.net/mvc/tutorials/mvc-5/introduction/getting-started. You'll get enough EF to get you going.

Now, when you get to doing a real system with an existing DB, come back and find out how to make Code First bring in an existing DB.


>I agree that learning on a small project is a better approach. But as you say "a small MVC app using EF" which implies that I need to know some basics about EF. And so far, I can't get my mind around it (EF). Or - probably more honest answer - didn't spend uninterrupted time learning.
>Thank you.