How can i retrieve the default value of a given structure in VB.net?

Question

If I execute the following statement:

dim defaultDate as Date = Nothing

defaultDate contains the default value of the Date structure

I suspect there is a clean way to retreive this value, like some kind of buitin constant, but i was not able to find it.

Q: What is the clean way to retrieve the default value of a given structure in VB.net ?

Answer 1

As you have already found, Nothing is the correct way to do this in VB.NET for value types.

C# has a more "explicit" way of doing that with default(T).

Answer 2

Value types does not need explicit initialization.

By default all the fields are initialized to default values.

dim defaultDate as Date ' Nothing not required
Console.WriteLine(defaultDate) ' 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM 

Explanation on default constructor here and here