How to convert to DateTime but have default value if input is blank?

Question

What .NET function will convert to a DateTime but have a default value if input is blank?

eg.

DateTime dtTest = Convert.ToDateTime(getDateString());

If getDateString() returns an empty string Convert.ToDateTime throws an exception.

How can I instead have a default value of "9:00AM" used instead of the empty string? Is this something where TryParse could be used?

Answer 1

Use DateTime.TryParse and if the parsing fails you can assign DateTime.MinValue.AddHours(9) to get (9:00AM) time with Minimum Date.

string str = "";
DateTime temp;
DateTime dt = DateTime.TryParse(str, out temp) ? temp : DateTime.MinValue.AddHours(9);

For the above code your dt object will hold {01/01/0001 9:00:00 AM}

Answer 2

I have used something called a ternary statement. You can view an example here: MSDN

    string myDate = getDateString();
    DateTime dtTest = Convert.ToDateTime(String.IsNullOrEmpty(myDate) ? "my default value" : myDate);

The ternary statement is below:

String.IsNullOrEmpty(myDate) ? "my default value" : myDate

And it can be read as follows:

If the string is null or empty, then use "my default value", otherwise use myDate.