✅ ✅ Issues With Input Validation

Mek · 2023-10-04T01:32:08.788Z

```cs public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry) { if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry) { return oldEntry; } else { return newEntry; } } ```I'm asking the user for information when they select to update an entry within the database. Their instruction is to just press enter and leave the entry blank if they want to keep the information the same, however, I also need this function to check a date format and a time format (two separate checks) and I can't figure it out. To clarify, The first entry is asking them for an adjusted date, or to leave it empty. When they put in something, it needs to check if that entry is empty or not and whether it matches `MM/dd/yyyy` format. Then it asks them for the updated start time, or to leave it empty. That needs to check if the entry is empty and whether it matches `HH:MM` format and same for the third check. Thanks

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 1:36 AM

so like

Console.WriteLine("When Editing Information, Leave Blank and Press Enter To Leave The Same");
Console.WriteLine($"Current Date: {currentDate}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Date: ");

string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentDate, newDate);

Console.WriteLine($"Current Start Time: {currentStartTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Start Time: ");

string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentStartTime, newStartTime);

Console.WriteLine($"Current End Time: {currentEndTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct End Time: ");

string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentEndTime, newEndTime);

Console.WriteLine("When Editing Information, Leave Blank and Press Enter To Leave The Same");
Console.WriteLine($"Current Date: {currentDate}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Date: ");

string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentDate, newDate);

Console.WriteLine($"Current Start Time: {currentStartTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Start Time: ");

string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentStartTime, newStartTime);

Console.WriteLine($"Current End Time: {currentEndTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct End Time: ");

string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentEndTime, newEndTime);

Console.WriteLine("When Editing Information, Leave Blank and Press Enter To Leave The Same");
Console.WriteLine($"Current Date: {currentDate}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Date: ");

string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentDate, newDate);

Console.WriteLine($"Current Start Time: {currentStartTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Start Time: ");

string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentStartTime, newStartTime);

Console.WriteLine($"Current End Time: {currentEndTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct End Time: ");

string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentEndTime, newEndTime);

Console.WriteLine("When Editing Information, Leave Blank and Press Enter To Leave The Same");
Console.WriteLine($"Current Date: {currentDate}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Date: ");

string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentDate, newDate);

Console.WriteLine($"Current Start Time: {currentStartTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct Start Time: ");

string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentStartTime, newStartTime);

Console.WriteLine($"Current End Time: {currentEndTime}");
Console.Write("Enter Correct End Time: ");

string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentEndTime, newEndTime);

When it prompts and the user enters their information, or leaves it blank and the validation function is ran, it needs to check

Is the string empty
If not empty, does it match
```
MM/DD/YYYY
```
MM/DD/YYYY
```
MM/DD/YYYY
```
MM/DD/YYYY
If not empty, does it match
```
HH:MM
```
```
HH:MM
```
and return the string when conditions are met

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 5:32 AM

Sounds like you want three different methods instead of just one

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 5:32 AM

Since you call them distinctly anyways

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 6:48 AM

Yes but no. If it’s possible to have 3 checks in 1 call then id rather go that route tbh. I’m already having to write 100+ lines per file and I’ve only gotten 2/8 menu options completed besides this minor set back. I’d rather not have to write 15 more lines if I don’t have to

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 6:53 AM

That's the wrong mindset tbh

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 6:54 AM

Methods should be specific rather than broad

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 6:54 AM

You certainly can do this with one method, but it'll be harder to reason about

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 6:55 AM

Like, it will accept a date when you really expected a time

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 6:55 AM

Or opposite

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 6:58 AM

Tbh you’re right. I just wanted an easier way of it but frankly 15 lines in the same function or 15 lines between 3 functions are still 15 lines

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 6:59 AM

yup

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 6:59 AM

And most importantly, you prevent a time from being saved in the date field (or crashing because you expected the value to be parsable when it wasnt)

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 6:59 AM

True. Thank you

PPobiega yup

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:37 PM

ok so I'm having a problem with getting the order of calls right

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:38 PM

public static CodeSession StartSessionEdit(CodeSession currentSession)
{
    Console.WriteLine("\nWhen Editing Information, If you want it left the same then press ENTER to skip.");
    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Date Created: {currentSession.TodaysDate}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

    string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
    newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.TodaysDate, newDate);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Start Time: {currentSession.StartTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, newStartTime);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent End TIme: {currentSession.EndTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.EndTime, newEndTime);

    string? newDuration = Helpers.CalculateDuration(newStartTime, newEndTime);

    CodeSession updatedSession = new()
    {
        Id = currentSession.Id,
        TodaysDate = newDate,
        StartTime = newStartTime,
        EndTime = newEndTime,
        Duration = newDuration
    };

    Console.WriteLine($"New Date: {newDate}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Start Time: {newStartTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New End Time: {newEndTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Duration: {newDuration}");
    Console.WriteLine("\n Are You Satisfied With These Changes? Y/N");
    Console.Write("Your Selection: ");

    string? satisfied = Console.ReadLine().ToLower();
    satisfied = UserValidation.ValidateYesNo(satisfied);

    if (satisfied == "y")
    {
        return updatedSession;
    }
    else
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Restarting Session Edit.");
        return StartSessionEdit(currentSession);
    }
}

public static CodeSession StartSessionEdit(CodeSession currentSession)
{
    Console.WriteLine("\nWhen Editing Information, If you want it left the same then press ENTER to skip.");
    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Date Created: {currentSession.TodaysDate}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

    string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
    newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.TodaysDate, newDate);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Start Time: {currentSession.StartTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, newStartTime);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent End TIme: {currentSession.EndTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.EndTime, newEndTime);

    string? newDuration = Helpers.CalculateDuration(newStartTime, newEndTime);

    CodeSession updatedSession = new()
    {
        Id = currentSession.Id,
        TodaysDate = newDate,
        StartTime = newStartTime,
        EndTime = newEndTime,
        Duration = newDuration
    };

    Console.WriteLine($"New Date: {newDate}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Start Time: {newStartTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New End Time: {newEndTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Duration: {newDuration}");
    Console.WriteLine("\n Are You Satisfied With These Changes? Y/N");
    Console.Write("Your Selection: ");

    string? satisfied = Console.ReadLine().ToLower();
    satisfied = UserValidation.ValidateYesNo(satisfied);

    if (satisfied == "y")
    {
        return updatedSession;
    }
    else
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Restarting Session Edit.");
        return StartSessionEdit(currentSession);
    }
}

public static CodeSession StartSessionEdit(CodeSession currentSession)
{
    Console.WriteLine("\nWhen Editing Information, If you want it left the same then press ENTER to skip.");
    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Date Created: {currentSession.TodaysDate}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

    string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
    newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.TodaysDate, newDate);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Start Time: {currentSession.StartTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, newStartTime);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent End TIme: {currentSession.EndTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.EndTime, newEndTime);

    string? newDuration = Helpers.CalculateDuration(newStartTime, newEndTime);

    CodeSession updatedSession = new()
    {
        Id = currentSession.Id,
        TodaysDate = newDate,
        StartTime = newStartTime,
        EndTime = newEndTime,
        Duration = newDuration
    };

    Console.WriteLine($"New Date: {newDate}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Start Time: {newStartTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New End Time: {newEndTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Duration: {newDuration}");
    Console.WriteLine("\n Are You Satisfied With These Changes? Y/N");
    Console.Write("Your Selection: ");

    string? satisfied = Console.ReadLine().ToLower();
    satisfied = UserValidation.ValidateYesNo(satisfied);

    if (satisfied == "y")
    {
        return updatedSession;
    }
    else
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Restarting Session Edit.");
        return StartSessionEdit(currentSession);
    }
}

public static CodeSession StartSessionEdit(CodeSession currentSession)
{
    Console.WriteLine("\nWhen Editing Information, If you want it left the same then press ENTER to skip.");
    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Date Created: {currentSession.TodaysDate}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

    string? newDate = Console.ReadLine();
    newDate = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.TodaysDate, newDate);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent Start Time: {currentSession.StartTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newStartTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newStartTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, newStartTime);

    Console.WriteLine($"\nCurrent End TIme: {currentSession.EndTime}");
    Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

    string? newEndTime = Console.ReadLine();
    newEndTime = UserValidation.VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.EndTime, newEndTime);

    string? newDuration = Helpers.CalculateDuration(newStartTime, newEndTime);

    CodeSession updatedSession = new()
    {
        Id = currentSession.Id,
        TodaysDate = newDate,
        StartTime = newStartTime,
        EndTime = newEndTime,
        Duration = newDuration
    };

    Console.WriteLine($"New Date: {newDate}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Start Time: {newStartTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New End Time: {newEndTime}");
    Console.WriteLine($"New Duration: {newDuration}");
    Console.WriteLine("\n Are You Satisfied With These Changes? Y/N");
    Console.Write("Your Selection: ");

    string? satisfied = Console.ReadLine().ToLower();
    satisfied = UserValidation.ValidateYesNo(satisfied);

    if (satisfied == "y")
    {
        return updatedSession;
    }
    else
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Restarting Session Edit.");
        return StartSessionEdit(currentSession);
    }
}

this is the primary function. When it asks the user for the newDate, it checks to see if the input is empty or not.

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:39 PM

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

public static bool? VerifyDateInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: MM/DD/YYYY");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyDateInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

public static bool? VerifyTimeInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("HH:MM"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: HH:MM");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyTimeInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

public static bool? VerifyDateInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: MM/DD/YYYY");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyDateInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

public static bool? VerifyTimeInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("HH:MM"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: HH:MM");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyTimeInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

public static bool? VerifyDateInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: MM/DD/YYYY");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyDateInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

public static bool? VerifyTimeInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("HH:MM"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: HH:MM");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyTimeInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

public static bool? VerifyDateInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: MM/DD/YYYY");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Date: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyDateInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

public static bool? VerifyTimeInput(string input)
{
    while (input != String.Format("HH:MM"))
    {
        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
        Console.WriteLine("[Error] Input Must Be In Format: HH:MM");

        Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
        Console.Write("Enter Corrected Time: ");

        input = Console.ReadLine();
        return VerifyTimeInput(input);
    }

    return true;
}

these are the validation functions that I created for checking if the string is empty, or not. Check if it's the correct date format and time format. So since the first question deals with the date, how would I do the call order to check if the string is empty or not, and if not then check it's date format?

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:44 PM

i uh... what

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:45 PM

those methods are... what?

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:45 PM

looped AND recursive AND returns

bool?

bool?

bool?

bool? when it never returns null?

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:45 PM

this is confusing

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:46 PM

ok I'll fix it

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:46 PM

your null annotations are all wrong in general

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:46 PM

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

public static string? VerifyEmptyOrChanged(string? oldEntry, string newEntry)
{
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(newEntry) || newEntry == oldEntry)
    {
        return oldEntry;
    }
    else
    {
        return newEntry;
    }
}

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:46 PM

newEntry is flagged as never being null, but you check it for null

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:46 PM

so I suggest you mark it as

string?  newEntry

string? newEntry

string?  newEntry

string? newEntry

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:47 PM

yep. I already fixed that

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:47 PM

the

string? newEntry

string? newEntry

string? newEntry

string? newEntry part that is

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:48 PM

right.

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:48 PM

I'm trying to wrap my head around your original issue now.

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:48 PM

Ah okay I see it.

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:48 PM

so it checks if the newEntry is empty or if the new entry matches the current entry. If it is empty or does match, it returns the current entry. Otherwise, it returns the new entry

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:48 PM

you need the "allow null/empty to keep same value", while still validating dates/times

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:49 PM

my gut instinct is to use higher order functions, but that might be... hard?

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:49 PM

its the idea of passing functions as parameters to other functions

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:49 PM

I haven't learned that yet

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:50 PM

Would you be okay with learning it now, or prefer a simpler approach?

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:53 PM

also, just so I can see all the types involved here can you show me the

CodeSession

CodeSession

CodeSession

CodeSession class?

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:53 PM

and I'm not entirely sure on how to go about that. There are 3 entry inputs. newDate, newStartTime, and newEndTime.

all 3 check for if the newEntry is empty or matches the oldEntry so that if the newEntry is empty or matches the oldEntry, it can keep the same value that's currently recorded in the database.
newDate needs to check against the
```
mm/dd/yyyy
```
mm/dd/yyyy
```
mm/dd/yyyy
```
mm/dd/yyyy
format to follow the requirements
```
You should tell the user the specific format you want the date and time to be logged and not allow any other format.
```
You should tell the user the specific format you want the date and time to be logged and not allow any other format.
```
You should tell the user the specific format you want the date and time to be logged and not allow any other format.
```
You should tell the user the specific format you want the date and time to be logged and not allow any other format.
newStartTime and newEndTime needs to check against the
```
HH:MM
```
```
HH:MM
```
format to follow the same requirements.

The 3 are checked against the String.Format()'s in the event the user wants to change the information and doesn't leave the newEntry blank

PPobiega also, just so I can see all the types involved here can you show me the `CodeSes...

M

MekOP•10/4/23, 4:54 PM

public class CodeSession
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string TodaysDate { get; set; }
    public string StartTime { get; set; }
    public string EndTime { get; set; }
    public string Duration { get; set; }
}

public class CodeSession
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string TodaysDate { get; set; }
    public string StartTime { get; set; }
    public string EndTime { get; set; }
    public string Duration { get; set; }
}

public class CodeSession
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string TodaysDate { get; set; }
    public string StartTime { get; set; }
    public string EndTime { get; set; }
    public string Duration { get; set; }
}

public class CodeSession
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string TodaysDate { get; set; }
    public string StartTime { get; set; }
    public string EndTime { get; set; }
    public string Duration { get; set; }
}

they're all strings except the Id because of the Tip on the projects page

Sqlite doesn't support dates. We recommend you store the datetime as a string in the database and then parse it using C#. You'll need to parse it to calculate the duration of your sessions.

Sqlite doesn't support dates. We recommend you store the datetime as a string in the database and then parse it using C#. You'll need to parse it to calculate the duration of your sessions.

Sqlite doesn't support dates. We recommend you store the datetime as a string in the database and then parse it using C#. You'll need to parse it to calculate the duration of your sessions.

Sqlite doesn't support dates. We recommend you store the datetime as a string in the database and then parse it using C#. You'll need to parse it to calculate the duration of your sessions.

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:54 PM

okay

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:54 PM

The simplest way to do this is to have your Date/Time validations allow a blank string

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:55 PM

ie, they allow valid times/dates or blank string

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:55 PM

so "" is a "valid time"

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:55 PM

and would mean keep the old time

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:56 PM

you could then call it like

updatedSession.StartTime = VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, VerifyTimeInput(input));

updatedSession.StartTime = VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, VerifyTimeInput(input));

updatedSession.StartTime = VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, VerifyTimeInput(input));

updatedSession.StartTime = VerifyEmptyOrChanged(currentSession.StartTime, VerifyTimeInput(input));

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:56 PM

so as long as the user is trying to use a non-blank value, its validated

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:57 PM

but if its blank, we just say "oh you wanted to keep the old value, thats fine"

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:57 PM

that solves your "order of operations" problem

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:57 PM

input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy")

input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy")

input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy")

input != String.Format("MM/dd/yyyy") isnt valid code btw, as I'm sure you know

P

Pobiega•10/4/23, 4:58 PM

or actually it might be, but it doesnt do what you think it does