Formatting string in C#

Question

How can I format the string below like it was in VB6? I need it in C#. Sometime the SSN starts with a "0" and it would change to a space so the VB6 code was writing below. How can I do it in C#?

tDetail.EmployeeSSN = Format("" & !EmployeeSocialSecurity, "000000000")

I did it this way and showed it to the lead programmer and he said to research it and do it another way.

tDetail.EmployeeSSN = string.Format("" + item["EmployeeSocialSecurity"].ToString(), "000000000");

 
I am relatively new to C# and some .NET.  I researched this and I do not know what he means!


 
Thanks ahead of time,
aar

Sam Hobbs · Answer

PadLeft will work I assume but in the Format function you were not doing any formatting; the format string you had was empty. The thing to research is the many possible format codes available for formatting using the Format function.

Vulpes · Answer

If you don't want leading zeros to be displayed then you should be using '#' rather than '0' as the placeholder in your format string - see here ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0c899ak8(VS.71).aspx ). However for something like a SSN I'd have thought you would want leading zeros to be displayed. EDIT For some unknown reason the last two posts weren't showing before I posted!

Dorababu Meka · Answer

Ohh padding of strings to the required length you required then

A Repasky · Answer

This is what the lead programmer finally sent me. tDetail.EmployeeSSN = item[ EmployeeSocialSecurity ].ToString().PadLeft(9 '0' ); This is what he wanted me to do. Sorry to bother you on this. aar

Dorababu Meka · Answer

Not exactly clear what you need can you please be specific what you are trying to do or let us know about the sample output you needed