Format string as date

Question

I have a string 20100524 (2010 05 24) and I would like to parse it as an actual date format.

score 16 · Answer 1 · answered May 25 '10 at 06:52

16

This will do it for you in a safe manner:

DateTime dateTime;
if (DateTime.TryParseExact("20100524", "yyyyMMdd", null, DateTimeStyles.None, out dateTime))
{
    // use dateTime here
}
else
{
    // the string could not be parsed as a DateTime
}

answered May 25 '10 at 06:52

Fredrik Mörk

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score 6 · Answer 2 · answered May 25 '10 at 06:51

6

DateTime.Parse and Datetime.ParseExact are your friends.

answered May 25 '10 at 06:51

Ovidiu Pacurar

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score 3 · Answer 3 · edited May 25 '10 at 07:06

3

DateTime result;
CultureInfo provider = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

string dateString = "20100524";
string format = "yyyyMMdd";
result = DateTime.ParseExact(dateString, format, provider);

edited May 25 '10 at 07:06

Murph

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answered May 25 '10 at 06:50

CARLOS LOTH

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Of course, DateTime.Parse(string stringToParse); will work. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1k1skd40.aspx – Julius F May 25 '10 at 06:53
Looked promising but it faults out saying that it doesnt recognize it as a valid dateTime – Jake Sankey May 25 '10 at 06:53
1

Actually for custom date formats like yours, it is necessary to use ParseExact. – CARLOS LOTH May 25 '10 at 06:55
Just tested that code and, once I'd defined types for dateString and format (I've edited the answer to include), and it worked exactly as required - which is pretty much what one would expect since its right. If you're still getting an error then its likely that either a) you've not got the format string right (its case sensitive) or b) you're not giving it a valid date. – Murph May 25 '10 at 07:05

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered May 25 '10 at 06:54

3

DateTime.ParseExact("20100524", "yyyyMMdd", Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture);

answered May 25 '10 at 06:54

Oscar Cabrero

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1

that line works but hey there are better solutions here than mine no need to down vote – Oscar Cabrero May 25 '10 at 07:49

Format string as date

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