How to return a null value from a database

Question

I am trying to populate a combobox with a list my query returns. When I execute my program it gives me a specified cast is not valid error ( I have it execute on page load event). Every field in the database I have to work with can be null except the primary key. So I tried using DBNull.Value but it can't get my (int)reader fields to work. I have supplied my code below for a better understanding. How can I get my (int)reader's to work with my statements, so they can read when there is a null value?

CustData cd = new CustData();
cd.CustomerID = (int)reader["CustomerID"];
cd.Name = reader["Name"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["Name"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.ShippingAddress = reader["ShippingAddress"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["ShippingAddress"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.ShippingCity = reader["ShippingCity"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["ShippingCity"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.ShippingState = reader["ShippingState"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["ShippingState"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.ShippingZip = (int)reader["ShippingZip"];
cd.BillingAddress = reader["BillingAddress"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["BillingAddress"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.BillingCity = reader["BillingCity"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["BillingCity"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.BillingState = reader["BillingState"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["BillingState"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.BillingZip = (int)reader["BillingZip"];
cd.Territory = reader["Territory"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["Territory"].ToString() : string.Empty;
cd.Category = reader["Category"] != DBNull.Value ? reader["Category"].ToString() : string.Emptyy

Answer 1

That is because int is not nullable. You need to use int? or nullable<int> (long hand) to allow it to be an int OR a null value.

You can then use the usual .HasValue and .Value etc to get the value from the item.

EDIT: To enhance the visibility of my comment to this answer. I would advise against checking for NULL and storing Zero into your property because then when you save back you are changing a Null to a Zero even though nothing has been changed by the system. Now, reports etc may distinguish between NULL and Zero (very often) and could start doing strange things!

Null does NOT equal zero!! If you assume it does as a work around... What happens if I truly do want to record zero? How do you differentiate between a real zero and a "was null now zero" trick? Do it right, save yourself the pain!

Answer 2

Use nullable int, or just make your control for your int's too

reader["ShippingZip"] != DBNull.Value ? (int)reader["ShippingZip"] : default(int);

Answer 3

You should use a nullable int for your variable and cast it, like (int?). Int can only have a value; nullable types can also be null. When you use a nullable type, you can look at the property .HasValue. Here is the MSDN page: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2cf62fcy.aspx