Here's another example of trying to re-invent the wheel (The NullToString function, not the IsDBNull function, or at least I don't think so anyway :) ). Post your redundant code here too, so that we can all learn from our mistakes

Protected Function IsDBNull(ByVal DBVal) As Boolean

  ' Checks if value passed from Database is Null
  ' Returns True if passed value is Null
  ' Returns False is passed value is Not Null

  Return DBVal Is DBNull.Value

End Function

Protected Function NullToString(ByVal DBVal) As String

  ' Returns empty string is value passed from database is Null
  ' Converts value to a string if Not Null

  ' *************************************************************************************
  ' ** Turns out that if you just use the .ToString method of returned values, it will **
  ' ** do the same thing automatically. So consider this function deprecated.          **
  ' *************************************************************************************

  If IsDBNull(DBVal) Then
    Return ""
  Else
    Return DBVal.ToString
  End If

End Function