How to convert nullable int to string

Question

I need to convert the nullable int to string

int? a = null;
string str = a.ToString();

How can I perform this action without an exception? I need to get the string as "Null". Please guide me.

Answer 1

You can simply use the Convert.ToString() which handles the null values as well and doesn't throw the exception

string str = Convert.ToString(a)

Or using if condition

if(a.HasValue)
{
  string str = a.Value.ToString();
}

Or using ? Ternary operator

string str = a.HasValue ? a.Value.ToString() : string.Empty;

Answer 2

If you really need the string as "Null" if a is null:

string str = a.HasValue ? a.Value.ToString() : "Null";

Answer 3

I'd create an extension method as well, but type it off of Nullable and not any T.

public static string ToStringOrEmpty<T>(this T? t) where T : struct
{
    return t.HasValue ? t.Value.ToString() : string.Empty;
}

// usage
int? a = null;
long? b = 123;

Console.WriteLine(a.ToStringOrEmpty()); // prints nothing
Console.WriteLine(b.ToStringOrEmpty()); // prints "123"