#1 Your First Helper

Get Started with Strong Typed Code

A Strong Typed Helper

This will guide you through making the first strong-typed Apps. In the end you'll have a simple helper which you can use in your Razor files.

1. Create a new AppCode Helper

First we'll create a helper with a static Hello(...) method.

Create a new file in the /AppCode folder, like /AppCode/MyHelpers.cs and add this code:

namespace AppCode
{
  /// <summary>
  /// A simple helper class
  /// </summary>
  public class MyHelpers
  {
    /// <summary>
    /// A simple method to say hello
    /// </summary>
    public static string Hello(string input) => "Hello " + input;
  }
}

2. Use it in a Razor File

Now create a Razor file in the root of your app UseHelper.cshtml like this:

@inherits Custom.Hybrid.RazorTyped
@using AppCode
@MyHelpers.Hello("World")

3. Test

1. Go to the App Admin and configure the view to use your newly created Razor file.

2. Then add it to a page in Dnn or Oqtane, and see the result.

Explanations

This is a very simple example, but it shows the basic concepts. Heres's what's happening:

1. All files in the /AppCode folder are automatically compiled and available to your Razor files.

2. The @inherits statement tells the Razor file which APIs are available. This is important, since the new AppCode feature only works with strong-typed Razor files - eg. inheriting from Custom.Hybrid.RazorTyped.

3. The @using AppCode has 2 functions. It will activate the Roslyn compiler (instead of the old asp.net compiler) and will also make sure that compiled AppCode is used in the compile process.

4. The @MyHelpers.Hello("World") is a simple call to the static method in the MyHelpers class.