Setting dateTime.ToString() format centrally

Question

How do i set the DateTime format centrally so that at any time if I use a dateTime.ToString() in my code I get string in the ISO format(eg:2008-2-19 01:00:00)

Answer 1

You can add the time format as parameter to the tostring, i always use this for reference

Dim d = DateTime.Parse("2008-2-19 01:00:00")
Assert.AreEqual("2008-2-19 01:00:00", d.ToString("yyyy-M-dd HH:mm:ss"))

http://www.geekzilla.co.uk/View00FF7904-B510-468C-A2C8-F859AA20581F.htm

Regards

Iain

Answer 2

You should use CultureInfo to control the format when using DateTime.ToString()

EDIT:

Once you have set the CurrentCulture on your Current Thread then try the following:

DateTimeFormatInfo format = Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.DateTimeFormat; string dateTime = DateTime.Now.ToString(format.FullDateTimePattern);

Answer 3

You can use extension methods to extend datetime and create a ToISOString().

check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb383977.aspx on ways to accomplish it. In the extension method you can use parameters to format the string the way you need, then you can use DateTime.ToISOString(); You could also use cultureinfo as Barry said, but I don't know if it will fit your needs.

Answer 4

You should update the System.Threading.Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture property.

This affects all DateTime.ToString() in the current thread.

Answer 5

With the help of Albin and Barry's answers iv got the following piece to code to set the Time format centrally in the Global.asax.

using System.Globalization;
using System.Threading;

protected void Application_BeginRequest()
        {
            CultureInfo standardizedCulture = (CultureInfo)CultureInfo.CurrentCulture.Clone();
            standardizedCulture.DateTimeFormat.DateSeparator = "-";
            standardizedCulture.DateTimeFormat.LongDatePattern = "yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss";
            standardizedCulture.DateTimeFormat.FullDateTimePattern = "yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss";           
            standardizedCulture.DateTimeFormat.ShortDatePattern  = "yyyy-MM-dd"; 
            Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture = standardizedCulture;
            Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture = standardizedCulture;
        } 

Answer 6

I think the requested format i.e. DateTIme.Now.ToString() will have a very bad influence on your code readability (and maintainability..). Trying to override a well known behavior with a custom one is bad practice.
What I do consider a good way to use it is like so: DateTIme.Now.ToString(IsDefaultFormat).
Now all you need to do is add an extension method to DateTime Which receives a bool, and if that bool is set to true, returns the DateTime using your "default format"