>Anybody know off-hand which is faster (or does it really matter <g>)? I would think that the cast would be faster, or better, but I don't really know.
>

>string x = row["MyColumn"].ToString();
>

>or
>

>string x = (string)row["MyColumn"];
>

>This is assuming that you already know that row["MyColumn"] cannot be DBNull.Value.
>
>TIA,
>~~Bonnie

I believe that a cast will take the object reference and use that to assign the value to x and then link the objects. I know if you use the ToString() method, there is a function call that takes place which requires a stack operation, the creation of a string variable, processing, return, stack operation, then assignment.

The cast would be significantly faster if my assumptions are correct, but you will need to add a check for the null value before hand.

If I am wrong, please let me know.