Why can't I check if a 'DateTime' is 'Nothing'?

Question

In VB.NET, is there a way to set a DateTime variable to \"not set\"? And why is it possible to set a DateTime to Nothing, but not<

Answer 1

Some examples on working with nullable DateTime values.

(See Nullable Value Types (Visual Basic) for more.)

'
' An ordinary DateTime declaration. It is *not* nullable. Setting it to
' 'Nothing' actually results in a non-null value.
'
Dim d1 As DateTime = Nothing
Console.WriteLine(String.Format("d1 = [{0}]\n", d1))
' Output:  d1 = [1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM]

' Console.WriteLine(String.Format("d1 is Nothing? [{0}]\n", (d1 Is Nothing)))
'
'   Compilation error on above expression '(d1 Is Nothing)':
'
'      'Is' operator does not accept operands of type 'Date'.
'       Operands must be reference or nullable types.

'
' Three different but equivalent ways to declare a DateTime
' nullable:
'
Dim d2? As DateTime = Nothing
Console.WriteLine(String.Format("d2 = [{0}][{1}]\n", d2, (d2 Is Nothing)))
' Output:  d2 = [][True]

Dim d3 As DateTime? = Nothing
Console.WriteLine(String.Format("d3 = [{0}][{1}]\n", d3, (d3 Is Nothing)))
' Output:  d3 = [][True]

Dim d4 As Nullable(Of DateTime) = Nothing
Console.WriteLine(String.Format("d4 = [{0}][{1}]\n", d4, (d4 Is Nothing)))
' Output:  d4 = [][True]

Also, on how to check whether a variable is null (from Nothing (Visual Basic)):

When checking whether a reference (or nullable value type) variable is null, do not use = Nothing or <> Nothing. Always use Is Nothing or IsNot Nothing.