How do I use DateTime.TryParse with a Nullable?

Question

I want to use the DateTime.TryParse method to get the datetime value of a string into a Nullable. But when I try this:

DateTime? d;
bool success = DateTime.         


        

Answer 1

Here's a single line solution:

DateTime? d = DateTime.TryParse("text", out DateTime parseDate) ? parseDate : (DateTime?)null;

Answer 2

Alternatively, if you are not concerned with the possible exception raised, you could change TryParse for Parse:

DateTime? d = DateTime.Parse("some valid text");

Although there won't be a boolean indicating success either, it could be practical in some situations where you know that the input text will always be valid.

Answer 3

What about creating an extension method?

public static class NullableExtensions
{
    public static bool TryParse(this DateTime? dateTime, string dateString, out DateTime? result)
    {
        DateTime tempDate;
        if(! DateTime.TryParse(dateString,out tempDate))
        {
            result = null;
            return false;
        }

        result = tempDate;
        return true;

    }
}