Convert string to Datetime in LINQ

Question

I have a model where all fields are string.

I want to convert to DateTime and Double

For that I created a new model

public class CPUStats
{
    public DateTime Data { get; set; }
    public Double? Disco { get; set; }
    public Double? CPU { get; set; }
    public Double? RAM { get; set; }
}

and made this select:

  var DateQuery = db.servidorSQL.ToList().Select(o => new CPUStats
            {
                Data = DateTime.Parse(o.Data),
                CPU = Double.Parse(o.CPU),
                RAM = Double.Parse(o.RAM),
                Disco = Double.Parse(o.Disco)
            });

But I get the error:

String was not recognized as a Valid Datetime.

on the line: var DateQuery = db.servidorIIS.ToList().Select(o => new CPUStats

I do this conversion because then I make a query by date order:

 var CPU = DateQuery.OrderByDescending(x => x.Data).Take(5).ToList();

In MSSQL this date field is string is with the following data: 03/16/2016 04:09:16.936

Answer 1

First, you should only wear one Parse() if you are sure that the format cannot fail. Otherwise you need to use a TryParse(), which would require an auxiliary method if you want to use in LINQ.

If you can guarantee that the format is this, you can use the culture or customize the format expected for the parser.

It seems to me that culture will solve:

DateTime.Parse(o.Data, new CultureInfo("en-US"));

If not solve, try the parseExact():

DateTime.ParseExact(o.Data, "MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm:ss.fff", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);

Behold working in the ideone. And in the .NET Fiddle. Also put on the Github for future reference.

Maybe it’s better to wear one TryParseExact().

Or you might need some variation on this. Formats.

Answer 2

I must point out that the form demonstrated by @Maniero is the most indicated. I will just show that there are other ways.

A simple way is to use the Convert.Todatetime. This form will convert the value. However, if the value is not a valid date, it will give error.

An example would be:

var stringData =  "06/20/2016";

var stringDataConvertida = Convert.ToDateTime(stringData);

Console.WriteLine(stringDataConvertida);

See the functional example on dotNetfiddle.