Question

Is better to use the below statement

Convert.ToInt32(“0” + stringValue)

If not then why?

I know that it is better to user int.TryParse() function, which is better, but what about the above statement.

Answer 1

Better than what?

Personally, I think that using Convert.ToInt32("0" + stringValue) is an anti-pattern.

It doesn’t provide anything useful, since:

• A positive integer will still result in the same value.
• If you pass it a negative number, it will throw.
• It doesn’t add any extra error checking
• It DOES create an extra string concatenation, which is not used for anything, reducing performance for no reason
• It adds extra complexity for no reason.

Just use Convert.ToInt32(stringValue) directly, or int.TryParse if you don’t want to have exception handling in place.