Using a Razor @functions in several webpages (.cshtml files)

Question

I have the below function that I would like to be available to several .cshtml views in my asp.net web pages 2 application. How can I make this function available to any view in the application (as opposed to just one).

@functions {

    public bool DisplayButton(String startDate, String endDate)
    {
        return Convert.ToDateTime(startDate) < DateTime.Now && Convert.ToDateTime(endDate) > DateTime.Now;
    }
}

Indisposition

Possible duplicate, #6347947 – Electrokinetic

I'm not trying to use a helper. – Indisposition

Answer 1

Create a file called Functions.cshtml in App_Code and then paste the code you have into the file. Then you can call the DisplayButton method in any .cshtml file by prefixing it with the file name:

var myBool = Functions.DisplayButton(DateTime.Now, DateTime.Now.AddDays(30));

For more on working with functions and helpers in ASP.NET Web Pages, read this: http://www.mikesdotnetting.com/Article/173/The-Difference-Between-@Helpers-and-@Functions-In-WebMatrix

Basinet

I have this error message. CS0120: An object reference is required for the non-static field, method, or property 'Functions.AgoDateString()' – Exobiology

This works. As the linked article says the files Functions.cshtml may be called anything, but the methods declared must be public static, and they're called by referencing the file name @Functions.MyMethod(). If the methods are not public static you will receive a similar error to Georgi. Also note that MSVC autogenerates the required classes for you. – Managerial

Answer 2

You can define "global" helper functions in a Razor file in the AppCode directory as described here: http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2011/05/12/asp-net-mvc-3-and-the-helper-syntax-within-razor.aspx. However, helpers only render page elements; they cannot return a value (or more correctly, the returned value is the HTML markup to be rendered).

If you need to return a value, your best bet is an extension method.

Canopy

The functions keyword is used to define a function (method) that returns a value defined by the method signature. The helper keyword defines a Razor template that renders HTML. – Basinet

Answer 3

Don't see why you couldn't have a static class with a static method and just include it at the top of every view and then use it

Legendary

because you'll need to compile every time you modify the class – Napper