title: empty .Designer.cs file after generating .edmx using EF 4.x on ASP.Net MVC4 application
body: <p>I have started a very simple ASP.Net MVC4 applictaion with a Database first approach (with existing DB). I have generated <code>.edmx</code> using ADO.Net Entity Data Model template. The process has created a <code>xxxxxxx.Designer.cs</code> file under <code>xxxxxxx.edmx</code> option. However, the .cs file is empty with the following message. </p>
  
  <pre><code>// Default code generation is disabled for model 'C:\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\xxx\DProject\Models\BIReportDataModel.edmx'. 
  // To enable default code generation, change the value of the 'Code Generation Strategy' designer
  // property to an alternate value. This property is available in the Properties Window when the model is
  // open in the designer.
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Following the message I have changed the properties which generated code in the <code>xxxxxxx.Designer.cs</code> file. </p>
  
  <p>Question:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Is this the correct thing to do? What is the purpose of this file?</li>
  <li>Do I also need to generate Strongly-typed DBContext classes from the .edmx designer page  by right clicking "add code generation item" and then selecting EF DBContext Generator?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>What exactly is the process for Database first approach? </p>
  
  <p>I have seen lots of post/blogs/tutorials and all seems to be very confusing and mostly for CodeFirst approach. </p>