Question

When getting SQL DateTime Resharper suggests to use new DateTime() when value is DBNull.Value. I’ve always used DateTime.MinValue. Which is the proper way?

DateTime varData = sqlQueryResult["Data"] is DateTime ? (DateTime) sqlQueryResult["Data"] : new DateTime();

Answer 1

From the documentation of DateTime.MinValue:

MinValue defines the date and time that is assigned to an uninitialized DateTime variable.

Thus, the resulting date will be the same. Since DateTime is a value type, both options should be equivalent. Personally, I prefer to write DateTime.MinValue, since it’s self-documenting.

PS: You might want to consider using nullable types (DateTime?), if your data can contain (meaningful) null values.