C# - How to check if a string contains ONLY A date

Question

3.00/5 (2 votes)

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I have a text box where a user may enter anything. I need to check if the user entered a date. I want true or false.
Please suggest

Thanks!

Posted 20-Apr-14 4:20am

Daniel Mashukov

Updated 20-Apr-14 8:07am

Manas Bhardwaj

v2

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Comments

[no name] 20-Apr-14 10:26am

Don't use a textbox. Use the proper control for the job. Use a Date time picker.

3 solutions

Solution 3

Maybe The Best solution is to parse it into date.

Or try to change the TextBox to MaskedTextBox Control so you can add a Date Mask that will allow to the client to enter a date format

Posted 20-Apr-14 7:45am

cronaldo4ever

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Peter Leow · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-20T04:27:00

Solution 2

Use TryParse method[^]

C#

using System;

public class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
          // from your TextBox1.Text
          string TextboxText = "2/22/2014";

          DateTime dt;

          if (DateTime.TryParse(TextboxText, out dt))
          {
               Console.WriteLine("It is a date");
          }
          else
          {
              Console.WriteLine("It is not a date");
          }
    }
}

Posted 20-Apr-14 4:27am

Peter Leow

Updated 20-Apr-14 4:28am

v2

Comments

Aarti Meswania 20-Apr-14 10:33am

detailed solution. 5+! :)

Peter Leow 20-Apr-14 11:03am

Thank you.

Aarti Meswania 20-Apr-14 11:05am

welcome! :)

Daniel Mashukov 21-Apr-14 7:35am

THANKS!

OriginalGriff · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-20T04:26:00

Solution 1

Best way? Parse it to a date:

C#

DateTime dt;
book isOK = DateTime.TryParse(myTextBox.Text, out dt);

Posted 20-Apr-14 4:26am

OriginalGriff

Comments

Aarti Meswania 20-Apr-14 10:28am

5+ :)

Volynsky Alex 21-Apr-14 4:27am

Nice answer!