changing IIF syntex - beginner /am i coding this correctly?

Hi,
I have this in my articles.ascx.vb  - calling from xml file.

Partial Class articleDefault
    Inherits System.Web.UI.UserControl

    Public Function getArticleAuthor() As String
        Return IIf(XPath("article/author") = "", "", "By  " & XPath("article/author") & "    " & XPath("summary") & ":: Published:  "& XPath("article/pubDate") & ".  ")
    End Function
   
   Public Function getPubDate() As String
        Return IIf(XPath("pubDate") = "", "<dd>&nbsp;", "<dd class=""smaller"">  " & XPath("pubDate") & "&nbsp; ")
    End Function

    Public Function getSummary() As String
        Return IIf(XPath("summary") = "", "", "<dd>  " & XPath("summary") & " <br class=""clearfloat"" /></dd>")
    End Function

    Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
    End Sub
End Class

I read that using IIF in VB is quirky and very slow.  So I am trying to switch to this:

Partial Class articleDefault
    Inherits System.Web.UI.UserControl

    Public Function getArticleAuthor() As String
      Dim value As String = XPath("article/author")
             If value is Nothing Then
                   Return "empty"
            Else
                  Return "By  " & XPath("article/author") & "    " & XPath("summary") & ":: Published:&nbsp; "& XPath("article/pubDate") & ".&nbsp; "
               End If
    End Function

    Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
    End Sub
End Class

 It is working but I just wanted my code checked - I am very new to this.  Is there a better /more efficient way to do this?  IF so advise is greatly appreciated.

I was going to do the change to each public function.

Cheers
TaniaStart Free Trial