SqlDataReader Best way to check for null values -sqlDataReader.IsDBNull vs DBNull.Value

Question

I want to retrieve decimal values from the database and I would like to know which is the recommended way to check for null values.

I have seen on MSDN - DBNull.Value F

Answer 1

Here's a simpler version of @Karl Anderson's answer:

public static class DbHelper
{
    public static T GetValue(this SqlDataReader sqlDataReader, string columnName)
    {
        var value = sqlDataReader[columnName];

        if (value != DBNull.Value)
        {
            return (T)value;
        }

        return default(T);
    }
}

Or even:

public static class DbHelper
{
    public static T GetValue(this SqlDataReader sqlDataReader, string columnName)
    {
        var value = sqlDataReader[columnName];

        return value == DBNull.Value ? default(T) : (T) value;
    }
}

Direct casting seems to work just fine for either nullable or non-nullable types.