C# Tutorial - Difference between Convert.ToString() and ToString()

To understand the difference consider the example below. The ToString() method, expects the instance on which you are invoking to be NOT NULL. If the object is NULL, you get a NULL Reference exception.

using System;
public class MainClass
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Customer C1 = null;
        Console.WriteLine(C1.ToString());
    }
}
public class Customer
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
}

On the other hand, Convert.ToString() returns an empty string if the object is NULL.

using System;
public class MainClass
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Customer C1 = null;
        Console.WriteLine(Convert.ToString(C1));
    }
}
public class Customer
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
}


So in summary, Convert.ToString() handles null, while ToString() doesn't, and throws a NULL Reference exception. Depending on the type of the application, architecture and what you are trying to achieve, you choose one over the other.