How do I convert a short date string back to a DateTime object?

Question

I have 2 DateTime objects, which I save to a file after using the ToShortDateString() function; the strings look like "12/15/2009". I am stuck on this part now, I want to initialize DateTime object(s) with these strings so I can compare the timespan between the date dates. Any help appreciated.

Answer 1

You can try

DateTime date = DateTime.ParseExact("12/15/2009", "MM/dd/yyyy", null);

Have a look at

• DateTime.ParseExact Method (String, String, IFormatProvider)
• Easy String to DateTime, DateTime to String and Formatting

Answer 2

Assuming you're reading back the dates from the file in string format

string date1 = "28/12/2009"; //this will be from your file
string date2 = "29/12/2009"; //this will be from your file
DateTime d1 = DateTime.ParseExact(date1,"dd/MM/yyyy", null);
DateTime d2 = DateTime.ParseExact(date2, "dd/MM/yyyy", null);
TimeSpan t1 = d2.Subtract(d1);