Store enums in sql-server using Linq-to-sql

Question

How do you store enums in sql-server using linq-to-sql?

I end up having a lot of conversions to and from int in my code. There has to be a better way. What did I miss?

sqlItem.enumValue = (int)myEnumValue;
...
myEnumValue = (MyEnumType)sqlItem.enumValue

It does not matter if SQL server or LINQ stores the values as strings or ints in the database, I just want to avoid all these typecasts sprinkled all over my code.

Could it be solved by an extension method to my linq-to-sql-classes and if so what would that look like?

Grant Thomas · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-20 14:09:58Z

16

You can use a mapping for types from the database from within the DBML editor.

Assuming you're working from within Visual Studio (the order in which these actions are undertaken can get highly irritating, since it auto-deselects your current selection in the editor when opening the properties, and so on):

open the DBML editor,
open the "Properties" view/tab
specify the type in the "Type" field.

In my experience, just inputting the type in the form of <namespace>.<type> is not always successful, I think this is the nuance that @leppie is referring to; for safety, use global::<namespace>.<type>.

edited Oct 20, 2011 at 14:09

answered Oct 20, 2011 at 14:08

Grant Thomas

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8 Comments

leppie Over a year ago

Also make sure the enum is defined in the same namespace as the DataContext, else it fails :\

leppie Over a year ago

Hmm, or was it was to include the using statement within the namespace? Too long to remember :)

Grant Thomas Over a year ago

@leppie Indeed I did, fixed; I think my updated appropriately addresses the issue you bring up - could you perhaps confirm this for your case?

leppie Over a year ago

It is in a codebase somewhere :) Will try look for it. We are not owners of that code anymore.

tomsv Over a year ago

If I do this, will I lose these changes when I resynchronize the model with the sql database by deleting all the tables from the designer and then re-adding them to the designer?

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