unresolved reference to object [INFORMATION_SCHEMA].[TABLES]

Question

I've created a UDF that accesses the [INFORMATION_SCHEMA].[TABLES] view:

CREATE FUNCTION [dbo].[CountTables]
(
    @name sysname
)
RETURNS INT
AS
BEGIN
    RETURN
    (
        SELECT COUNT(*) FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE TABLE_NAME = @name
    );
END

Within Visual Studio, the schema and name for the view are both marked with a warning:

SQL71502: Function: [dbo].[CountTables] has an unresolved reference to object [INFORMATION_SCHEMA].[TABLES].

I can still publish the database project without any problems, and the UDF does seem to run correctly. IntelliSense populates the name of the view for me, so it doesn't seem to have a problem with it.

I also tried changing the implementation to use sys.objects instead of this view, but I was given the same warning for this view as well.

How can I resolve this warning?

Answer 1

Add a database reference to master:

1. Under the project, right-click References.
2. Select Add database reference....
3. Select System database.
4. Ensure master is selected.
5. Press OK.

Note that it might take a while for VS to update.

Answer 2

In our project, we already have a reference to master, but we had this issue. Here was the error we got:

SQL71502: Procedure: [Schema].[StoredProc1] has an unresolved reference to object [Schema].[Table1].[Property1].

To resolve the reference error, on the table sql file, right click properties and verify the BuildSettings are set to Build.

Changing it build fixed it.

Answer 3

what Sam said is the best way for doing this.
However, if you have a scenario that you need to deploy the dacpac from a machine that doesn't have that reference in that specific location, you may get into trouble. Another way is to open your .project file and make sure the following tag has the value of false for the build configuration you are trying to run.

<TreatTSqlWarningsAsErrors>false</TreatTSqlWarningsAsErrors>

This way you don't need to add a reference to your project.