Which versions of SQL Server does LINQ to SQL support?

Question

Can SQL Server 2000 be used as the database for LINQ to SQL?

Does LINQ to SQL rely on a specific version of Microsoft SQL Server?

Answer 1

Yes, you can.

LINQ to SQL adapts the generated queries to work with 2000.

Answer 2

Yes, LINQ to SQL works with SQL Sever 2000 with one exception: you do need the ROW_NUMBER() function, available only in SQL Server 2005/2008, to support efficient server-side paging. Without it, paging functions (as Mehrdad points out) are delivered using the classic Top N strategy - very inefficient as you page further and further through your dataset because you end up throwing out most of your selected records from the third page on.

Answer 3

As of VS 2010, L2S for SQL Server 2000 is not supported under any scenario (although some third party tools add support back).