DateTime vs. DateTimeOffset: When Should You Use Each in .NET?

DateTime and DateTimeoffset in .NET: Differences and application scenarios

In the .NET environment, the concepts of DateTime and DateTimeoffset need to be understood by efficient processing date and time. These two types of time are different about time. Understanding when and how to use them is essential for accurate timing.

Datetime

Datetime represents the calendar time, especially in a certain time zone or location. Its Kind attribute indication time is specified as UTC (datetimeKind.utc), local time (dates) or unspecified time.

Datetimeoffset

On the other hand, DateTimeOffset means instantaneous time, that is, the common moment independent of the time zone. It combines the moment of UTC time and the offset of UTC, allowing accurate expressions across different time areas.

When to use datetime

It needs to indicate a specific time compared to a specific time zone or location.
For example, the time for the event arranged in a specific city.

When to use DateTimeOffset

need to ensure the consistent understanding of the moment across different time zones.
For example, the departure time of tracking the flights across multiple time zones.
The time and its offsets that need to be tracked, such as for accounting or recording the purpose of preservation.

Main differences

Time indicates:

Datetime represents the calendar time, and dates of date of the instant time.
• Disposal information: DateTimeOffset captured the offset of UTC, and the offset of DateTime may not be specified.
• View angle: Datetime provides a perspective of the time zone, and DateTimeOffset captures the perspective independent of the time zone.
• Other precautions From DateTime to DateTimeOffset, the hidden conversion of DateTime is assumed to be a local offset if the Kind of DateTime is UNSPECIFIED or LOCAL.

When comparing the DateTimeOffset values, they will be specified into zero displacement volume for comparison.

For unit testing, it is recommended to test DateTimeOffset and its Officet properties respectively.

The above is the detailed content of DateTime vs. DateTimeOffset: When Should You Use Each in .NET?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!