C# DateTime.Parse(longdate) throws exception

Question

In UWP, formatting a date as a longdate string like this

string myDateString = new DateTimeFormatter("longdate").Format(DateTime.Today);

gives myDateString = "‎Thursday‎, ‎12‎ ‎October‎ ‎2017"

Trying to convert it back like this

DateTime myDate = DateTime.Parse(myDateString, CultureInfo.CurrentCulture, DateTimeStyles.AssumeLocal);

throws System.FormatException

Trying to convert it back like this

DateTime myDate = DateTime.ParseExact(myDateString, "longdate", CultureInfo.CurrentCulture);

Also throws System.FormatException

I then set my machine to US. The value of myDateString = "‎Thursday‎, ‎October‎ 12‎ ‎‎2017"

but when I try it convert it back to a datetime this also throws a System.FormatException.

How should I convert a long date string to a datetime in C# using the current culture?

whats your long date format? mm/dd/yyyy? Get the datetime, DateTime d = DateTime.Now; then convert it to a string in any format you want, string s = d.ToString("dd/MM/yyyy-HH:mm:ss.fff"); — JohnChris
– JohnChris, Commented Oct 12, 2017 at 7:04
The DateTime.ParseExact does not use a DateTimeFormatter so I don't think it knows the format of DateTimeFormatter("longdate") — EpicKip
– EpicKip, Commented Oct 12, 2017 at 7:05
I assume this is UWP? If so, I would suggest tagging it that way. Additionally, please provide the actual value you're getting for myDateString. — Jon Skeet
– Jon Skeet, Commented Oct 12, 2017 at 7:06
If you need a formatted string this should be enough: DateTime.Today.ToLongDateString() — Artem
– Artem, Commented Oct 12, 2017 at 7:07
As shown in my example there is no issue converting a date to a string. The issue is converting back from a long date string to a datetime — Vague
– Vague, Commented Oct 12, 2017 at 7:19

Vague · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-14 05:26:06Z

0

@Jay Zuo explains in Cannot convert string to DateTime in uwp

when we use DateTimeFormatter.Format method, there are some invisible 8206 characters in its return value.

So as @Corak suggested, don't use DateTimeFormatter, use ToString("D")

answered Oct 14, 2017 at 5:26

Vague

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Saber · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-15 05:54:25Z

0

string sd = "‎Thursday‎,‎ ‎October‎ 12, ‎2017";
sd = DateTime.Now.ToString("dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy", new CultureInfo("en-US"));
DateTime myDate;
if (DateTime.TryParseExact(sd,"dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy", new CultureInfo("en-US"), DateTimeStyles.None, out myDate))
{
   Console.WriteLine(myDate);    //if format accepted.
}

edited Oct 15, 2017 at 5:54

Saber

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answered Oct 12, 2017 at 9:12

deniz

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2 Comments

Vague Over a year ago

your solution is not culture independent. Refer comments above. It appears this is a UWP issue.

deniz Over a year ago

yes, if you use CultureInfo like new CultureInfo((int)CultureTypes.AllCultures) then i think does not matter which culture is.

JohnChris · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-12 07:39:18Z

-1

Read over some DateTime formats... DateTime Formats

Stack post that is related: here

Basics on datetime: basics

Example on using DateTime with culture

A basic example:

DateTime d = DateTime.Now;
DateTime ut = d.ToUniversalTime();
// Defines a custom string format to display the DateTime value.
// zzzz specifies the full time zone offset.
  String format = "MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:sszzz";

String utcstr = utcdt.ToString(format);
      Console.WriteLine(utcstr);

Edit: Small console app example

static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            string myDateString = "Thursday, 12 October 2017";
            //Why use the above just get a new one for today in the correct format
            //Or create your own converter
            DateTime date = DateTime.Now;

            CultureInfo currentCulture = Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture;
            //or
            var culture = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;

            string test = currentCulture.ToString();

             Console.WriteLine(date.ToString(CultureInfo.GetCultureInfo(test)));
            Console.ReadLine();
        }

edited Oct 12, 2017 at 7:39

answered Oct 12, 2017 at 7:10

JohnChris

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4 Comments

Vague Over a year ago

Thank you for the suggestion @JohnChris but we cannot specify a date format like that as we must use the culture of the users machine.

Vague Over a year ago

Thanks again @JohnChris but we are not using UTC. We use the culture of the local machine ... wherever that might be.

JohnChris Over a year ago

@Vague Okay.. i put for current culture... but I dont understand why u want to use myDateString, if its an invalid format. A solution to this would be to build your own converter to get the date, month year and put in correct format, Would you like me to write you a converter?

Vague Over a year ago

mydateString is not an invalid format.It is the standard long date format created by 'Windows.Globalization.DateTimeFormatting.DateTimeFormatter("longdate")'

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