Using Sql_Variant in Linq-to-Sql: How do I save as a specific datatype?

See more:

SQL

LINQ

C#5.0

entity-framework

Hi,

I have a configuration table in my database. The value is stored as sql_variant and I have a calculated column to tell me what type that value is (I'm only allowing three types atm: bit, varchar & int).

My question is: How do I save as a specific datatype? The model uses the 'object' type when reading the sql_variant.

I would like to avoid using stored procedures, but failing all else I will set up three different SPs for the three different inserts (or maybe one that does the type conversions)

Any advice / help is welcome.

Thanks
Andy ^_^