Comparison of entity and row queries

Result contents

Results from entity queries contain references to entity instances, so you can use object path notation to access objects, properties, and methods in their object graphs.

Results from row queries contain values with no access to the object graphs of the entity instances that matched the query criteria.

Entity field types

Entity queries can access data from columns, foreign keys, arrays, virtual properties, one-to-ones, and edge foreign keys.

Row queries can access data only from columns and foreign keys.

Application cache

Entity instances in the result are loaded into the application cache.

Values in the result are in local memory only. They are not loaded into the application cache.

Writable results

Entity instances returned in results can be changed in the database by moving them from the result to a writable bundle.

Results cannot be used directly to write changes to the database.

Page configuration

Results can be data sources for list views and detail panels in page configuration.

Results cannot directly be data sources for list views or detail panels in page configuration.