Accessing System Databases/Tables using LINQ to SQL?

Question

Right now I have an SSIS package that runs every morning and gives me a report on the number of packages that failed or succeeded from the day before. The information for these packages is contained partly within the sysjobs table (a system table) within the msdb database (a system database) in SQL Server 2005.

When trying to move the package to a C# executable (mostly to gain better formatting over the email that gets sent out), I wasn't able to find a way to create a dbml file that allowed me to access these tables through LINQ. I tried to look for any properties that would make these tables visible, but I haven't had much luck.

Is this possible with LINQ to SQL?

Answer 1

If you're in Server Explorer, you can make them visible this way:

• Create a connection to the server you want.
• Right-click the server and choose Change View > Object Type.
• You should now see System Tables and User Tables. You should see sysjobs there, and you can easily drag it onto a .dbml surface.

Answer 2

It may not be available in the designer, but why not just add it to the DBML file itself?