DataReader NULL values

One way to deal with possibly-NULL string values from a datareader is to check for NULL first, e.g.


string myvalue;

if (myDataReader["MyField"] != System.DBNull.Value)

    myvalue = myDataReader.GetString(myDataReader.GetOrdinal("MyField"));

else

    myvalue = "";

But a less-code way is to just let the Convert object handle them for you:

string myvalue = Convert.ToString(myDataReader["MyField"]);

It may not perform quite as well as explicit checking, though, so don’t use it in a tight loop if you’re concerned about performance.

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Written by Ben Strackany -- January 26, 2005

Ben worked for a variety of tech startups in Chicago before moving to Portland and starting DevelopmentNow in 2005. When he's not herding cats, stirring pots, and taking names, he enjoys drinking coffee while irritating the studio audience with bad puns.