System.FormatException: String was not recognized as a valid DateTime

Asif Rehman

When I don't pass certain value in textbox. It gives me above exception. Here's the code.

cmd.Parameters.Add("DOB", SqlDbType.SmallDateTime).Value = txtDOB.Text;

I want to ignore NULL values. How to tackle this problem. I know it should have been easy. But anyhow, I stuck . Regards Asif Rehman

Pete OHanlon

If the value in txtDOB.Text is a null or whitespace character, you need to set Value to DBNull.Value.

I have CDO, it's OCD with the letters in the right order; just as they ruddy well should be

Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads

Asif Rehman

thanks for quick response. So to my best understanding, I can replace old phrase

cmd.Parameters.Add("DOB", SqlDbType.SmallDateTime).Value = txtDOB.Text;

with this one

cmd.Parameters.Add("DOB", SqlDbType.SmallDateTime).Value = (string.IsNullOrEmpty( txtDOB.Text)) ? DBNull.Value.ToString() : txtDOB.Text;

Is there any way shorter to do this. Regards Asif Rehman

Pete OHanlon

I normally use a utility method like this:

public static object GetValueForParameter(string value)
{
if (!string.IsNullOrWhitespace(value))
return value;
return DBNull.Value;
}

Then you can replace your code with cmd.Parameters.Add("DOB", SqlDbType.SmallDateTime).Value = Utility.GetValueForParameter(txtDOB.Text);

I have CDO, it's OCD with the letters in the right order; just as they ruddy well should be

Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads

Asif Rehman

Thanks. It works. Regards Asif Rehman

Pete OHanlon

You're welcome. Thanks for letting me know.

I have CDO, it's OCD with the letters in the right order; just as they ruddy well should be

Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads