.Net Parse versus Convert

Question

In .Net you can read a string value into another data type using either <datatype>.parse or Convert.To<DataType>.

I'm not familiar with the fundamentals of parse versus convert so I am always at a loss when asked which one is better/faster/more appropriate.

So - which way is best in what type of circumstances?

Answer 1

The Convert.ToXXX() methods are for objects that might be of the correct or similar type, while .Parse() and .TryParse() are specifically for strings:

//o is actually a boxed int
object o = 12345;

//unboxes it
int castVal = (int) 12345;

//o is a boxed enum
object o = MyEnum.ValueA;

//this will get the underlying int of ValueA
int convVal = Convert.ToInt32( o );

//now we have a string
string s = "12345";

//this will throw an exception if s can't be parsed
int parseVal = int.Parse( s );

//alternatively:
int tryVal;
if( int.TryParse( s, out tryVal ) ) {
    //do something with tryVal 
}

If you compile with optimisation flags TryParse is very quick - it's the best way to get a number from a string. However if you have an object that might be an int or might be a string Convert.ToInt32 is quicker.

Answer 2

There is also the DirectCast method which you should use only if you are sure what the type of the object is. It is faster, but doesn't do any proper checks. I use DirectCast when I'm extracting values from a loosely typed DataTable when I know the type for each column.

Answer 3

I'm a big fan of TryParse, since it saves you a lot of headache of error catching when there's a chance the value you're going to parse is not of the appropriate type.

My order is usually:

• Parse (if I can be sure the value will be the right type, and I do try to ensure this)
• TryParse (if I can't be sure, which happens whenever user input is involved, or input from a system you cannot control)
• Convert (which I think I have not used since I started using Parse and TryParse, but I could be wrong)

Answer 4

If you need speed, I'm pretty sure a direct cast is the fastest way. That being said, I normally use .Parse or .TryParse because is seems to make things easier to read, and behave in a more predictable manner.

Convert actually calls Parse under the hood, I believe. So there is little difference there, and its really just seems to be a matter of personal taste.

Answer 5

Here's an answer for you:

http://www.dotnetspider.com/forum/ViewForum.aspx?ForumId=77428

Though I think in modern versions of .NET, the best thing to do is use TryParse in any case, if there's any doubt that the conversion will work.