Code Behind SubTemplates

Is there any way to create and render a subtemplate from a code behind file?

Thanks.

Hello,

Yes, this is possible, but i would recommend not creating the physical template in a code behind.  Please watch the following video.

Thanks
-Blake Niemyjski

I have created an base class and the inheriting objects need to override certain methods which render different subtemplates depending on the object type. 

The subtemplate name in the register tag is found when used in a runat="template" script but the code behind file doesn't see it.  How can I a register the subtemplate from a code behind?

Hello,

Could you send me your samples and I'll take a look at it. I've done some updates in CodeSmith 5.0.4 to make this possible theoretically but I'm not sure that it is still 100% supported...

Thanks
-Blake Niemyjski

Hi.  Thanks.  I created a really simple example that uses the same architecture.

As you will see in the main template (AnimalTemplate.cst) there are 3 different ways of creating the subtemplates.  Now it should be working (if it throws an error on the Helper property - just run it again - it works the second time - not sure why that happens either).  Uncomment the other methods one at a time in the main template to see the error I am getting.  I really need to use the object method, but the simple code behind method would help as well. 

Thanks,
Debbie

Hello,

Thanks, I'l take a look at this.

 P.S I'll be out later today and part of tomorrow.

Thanks
-Blake Niemyjski

Hello,

I don't know why you have your code behind setup like that.. I think that your virtual methods should be in animal template and your cat and dog templates should do the work...

Thanks
-Blake Niemyjski

I want to run one template (lets say animal template) and at run time, it should know which inheriting template to use.  I don't want to run the dog or the cat template itself.

Ignoring the way the code is setup, the simpler question still exists.  How can I create a subtemplate from a code-behind file?  See GenerateAnimal procedure. 

Thanks, Debbie

Hello,

"How can I create a subtemplate from a code-behind file?  See GenerateAnimal procedure."

I would create three seperate templates and reference an assembly that has a class that inheirts sqlcodetemplate call this AnimalTemplate. Then have your virutal method in that. And then in your logic create the correct template based on what the user selected as a property... There is no reason why you need a helper class do to accomplish this.

Thanks
-Blake Niemyjski

I made the example more simplistic than it really is.  There are actually multiple subtemplates involved.  Is there no way that the code written below can work from a code-behind file?

MyTemplate t = this.Create<MyTemplate>();
t.Render(Response);

Hello,

MyTemplate t = this.Create<MyTemplate>();
t.Render(Response);

That should be no problem. The problem is what your passing into Render() and how your dynamically switching inheirited templates. This should be done by control structures instead of helper classes.

Thanks
-Blake Niemyjski

OK.  You can take out all of the Helper classes and calls to them.  I am still getting an error on that code.

Error: Example.csp(0,0) Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. --> Object reference not set to an instance of an object.   at CodeSmith.Engine.CodeTemplate..ctor()
   at CodeSmith.BaseTemplates.OutputFileCodeTemplate..ctor()
   at CodeSmith.BaseTemplates.SqlCodeTemplate..ctor()
   at Examples.AnimalTemplate..ctor()
   at Examples.DogTemplate..ctor()

I think the code behind does not recognize the register tag in the template file.  Is there a way to register a subtemplate from the code behind?

Hello,

Can you send me your updated templates.

Thank you,
Blake Niemyjski

Sure.  Attached.