Microsoft ASP.NET Razor View Engine

Razor View Engine Information

Developer(s)	Microsoft
Initial release	January 2011
Stable release	ASP.NET MVC 3 / 11 January 2011; 9 months ago (2011-01-11)
Written in	C#, VB, HTML
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Type	Web application framework
License	Proprietary
Website	The Official Microsoft ASP.NET Site

Razor View Engine File Format

Filename extension	.CSHTML or .VBHTML
Internet media type	text/html
Developed by	Microsoft

Razor is an ASP.NET programming syntax used to create dynamic web pages with the C# or Visual Basic programming languages. Razor was in development in June 2010^[1] and was released for Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 in January 2011.^[2] Razor is a simple-syntax view engine and was released as part of ASP.NET MVC 3 and the WebMatrix tool set.^[2]

Introduction

The Razor syntax is a template markup syntax that enables the programmer to use an HTML construction workflow and is based on the C# programming language. Instead of using the ASP.NET .ASPX markup syntax using <%= %> blocks to indicate code blocks the Razor syntax starts of a code block with Razor using a @ character and does not require explicit closing of the code-block.

Advantages of Razor

The idea of Razor was to create an optimized syntax for HTML generation using a code-focused templating approach using a minimization of transition between HTML and code.^[3] The design reduces the number of characters and keystrokes required and enables a more fluid coding workflow by not having to explicitly denote server blocks within the HTML code.^[1] Other advantages that have been noted:

• Is not a new language (no major changes to learn)
• Supports IntelliSense (statement completion support)
• Unit Testable

^[4]

Criticism

Using the Razor syntax could be awkward for programmers used to prior markup syntax and although it does cause complex views to be more readable there is minimum editing advantage for smaller views. The current ASP.NET MVC 3 does not yet support syntax highlight for Razor views.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} [1]|Introducing Razor
2. ^ ^{a b} [2]|Razor syntax Support
3. ^ [3]|MVC 3 – Razor View Engine
4. ^ [4]|ASP.NET MVC View Engine Comparison
5. ^ [5]|ASP.NET MVC 3 Hosting :: Understanding Razor View Engine ASP.NET MVC 3 C#

External links

• Getting Started with WebMatrix and ASP.NET Web Pages
• ASP.NET Model View Controller
• Razor View Engine
• Introducing “Razor” – a new view engine for ASP.NET
• ASP.NET, MVC 3, the Razor View Engine and Google Maps