c# - IsDBNull throws an exception -

i'm reading mysql database 1 columns of datetime type. of these dates null. can't seem figure out how check if value null or not. thought isdbnull solve problem, makes no difference @ all

if (!reader.isdbnull(4)) {    service.servicedate = reader.getdatetime("servicedate"); } 

this exception i'm getting:

"additional information: unable convert mysql date/time value system.datetime"

i tried

if (system.dbnull.value == reader.isdbnull(4)) 

as as

reader.isdbnull(4).tostring() 

and

convert.toboolean(reader.isdbnull(4)) 

how check without using try catch?

the error not seem have isdbnull - mentions datetime conversion. have tried passing column index getdatetime, doing isdbnull?

if (!reader.isdbnull(4)) {    service.servicedate = reader.getdatetime(4); } 

.

another possibility: convert 0 datetime=true

additionally, after reading other info on error, sounds may need add convert 0 datetime=true connection string, enables conversion of 0000-00-00 00:00:00 values in datetime column (if have of those) datetime.minvalue.

check out of results here: http://www.bing.com/search?q=unable+to+convert+mysql+date%2ftime+value+to+system.datetime&form=ie10tr&src=ie10tr&pc=hpdtdfjs