Question

Goodday, I use the below code to start a timer .
Label2.Text = Difference1.TotalMinutes.ToString(“N0”)
But the minutes are always 30 seconds out. The label shows the time as 1 minute when only 30 seconds have elapsed and thereafter I’m always 30 seconds out.
How can I calibrate this?
Thanks
Rob

Answer 1

If you look at the definition for the TimeSpan.TotalMinutes property it states that it:

Gets the value of the current TimeSpan structure expressed in whole and fractional minutes.

Therefore when you use the ToString(“N0“) format you are telling it that you want no decimal places and since it is a numeric format it will round your value up. You should look at using the TimeSpan Custom Formats in particular in this case the %m Custom Format string. It should look something like this:

 Label2.Text = Difference1.TotalMinutes.ToString("%m") 

---

Code I used to test. Timer interval is set to 1000 and is enabled.

Public Class Form1
    Dim startTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now
    Private Sub Timer1_Tick(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
        Label1.Text = (DateTime.Now - startTime).ToString("%m")
        Label2.Text = (DateTime.Now - startTime).TotalSeconds.ToString("N0")
    End Sub
End Class