How do you change the format of a TimeSpan property?

[nickf77]

I have the following code, and I want it to act as a stopwatch.

    Dim spn As New TimeSpan(0, 0, 0)
    Private Sub elapsedtime_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles elapsedtime.Tick
        spn = spn.Add(New TimeSpan(0, 0, 1))
        Label6.Text = String.Format("{1}:{2}", spn.Hours, spn.Minutes, spn.Seconds)
    End Sub

However, when the "stopwatch" ticks, the time is shown like this - 0:3, 2:9, etc. How can I change it so that when the seconds are in the single digits, it shows the time like a normal clock (4:05, 2:09, etc.)?

[chris128]

Can you not just do this instead:

Label6.Text = (spn.ToString)

Then if you dont want the hours bit included you could just remove all characters up to the first : (and the : itself of course).

There might be a better way but thats all I could come up with I'm afraid

[jmcilhinney]

What Chris says is correct but to answer your question specifically:

Label6.Text = String.Format("{1}:{2:00}", spn.Hours, spn.Minutes, spn.Seconds)

I would ask though, why are you passing Hours, Minutes and Seconds and only using the Minutes and Seconds? Why aren't you doing this:

Label6.Text = String.Format("{0}:{1:00}", spn.Minutes, spn.Seconds)

Also, rather than do this:

spn = spn.Add(New TimeSpan(0, 0, 1))

I'd sooner do this:

spn = spn.Add(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(1.0))

[nickf77]

Alright I got the format right when it looks like (minutes:seconds) but how do I get hours in there so it looks like (hours:minutes:seconds). Here's the code I have:

    Dim spn As New TimeSpan(0, 0, 0)
    Private Sub elapsedtime_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles elapsedtime.Tick
        spn = spn.Add(New TimeSpan(0, 0, 1))
        Label6.Text = "elapsed time:  " & String.Format("{00}:{1:00}", spn.Minutes, spn.Seconds)
    End Sub

[jmcilhinney]

If you want hours, minutes and seconds then your format string should be "{0}:{1:00}:{2:00}" and you must follow it with the Hours, Minutes and Seconds properties.

[chris128]

I'm sure that would work but would it not be simpler to just use the TimeSpan.ToString() method I mentioned earlier as thats exactly what that outputs?

So just:

Label6.Text = (spn.ToString)

[nickf77]

I actually chose to use chris128's method which was a lot easier and now it works. Thanks both of you though.

[chris128]

I actually chose to use chris128's method which was a lot easier and now it works. Thanks both of you though.

:O I suppose I should savor this moment as its probably going to be the only time anyone is ever going to use a suggestion I have made over one of yours JMC
Now... to catch up with your 4.5 billion Rep points

[jmcilhinney]

:O I suppose I should savor this moment as its probably going to be the only time anyone is ever going to use a suggestion I have made over one of yours JMC
Now... to catch up with your 4.5 billion Rep points

You'll note that I did talk up your suggestion in my first post, but went on to show how you could use a format string to get a specific format. You'd only do that if you didn't actually want the format that ToString produces though. There's no point doing more work than is needed. The OP's original post didn't indicate specifically whether they want hours, minutes and seconds or not, so it's best to be aware of both options.

[chris128]

I know I'm only kidding but yeah your right it is best to explain other options... your post taught me something about String.Format that I didnt know before anyway so its all good.