How do I pass a datetime value as a URI parameter in asp.net mvc?

Question

I need to have an action parameter that has a datetime value? Is there a standard way to do this? I need to have something like:

mysite/Controller/Action/2         


        

Answer 1

You should first add a new route in global.asax:

routes.MapRoute(
                "MyNewRoute",
                "{controller}/{action}/{date}",
                new { controller="YourControllerName", action="YourActionName", date = "" }
            );

The on your Controller:

        public ActionResult MyActionName(DateTime date)
        {

        }

Remember to keep your default route at the bottom of the RegisterRoutes method. Be advised that the engine will try to cast whatever value you send in {date} as a DateTime example, so if it can't be casted then an exception will be thrown. If your date string contains spaces or : you could HTML.Encode them so the URL could be parsed correctly. If no, then you could have another DateTime representation.