ASP.NET MVC @helper syntax vs Html Helper Extension methods

Question

I need to create custom html helper method. As far as I know there are two ways:

1. Use @helper razor syntax. http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2011/05/12/asp-net-mvc-3-and-the-helper-syntax-within-razor.aspx

2. Create HtmlHelper extension method.

What solution is better and why? What are advantages and disadvantages?

I only read that in MVC 3 when @helper is created globally in seperate .cshtml file it's impossible to use other build-in html helpers. Don't know maybe in MVC 4 it is possisble.

Please help.

Answer 1

What solution is better and why?

It depends.

What are advantages and disadvantages?

• Pros of custom HtmlHelper extension:
  • It will work no matter what view engine you are using
  • It is unit testable
  • It is portable between applications
• Cons of custom HtmlHelper extension:
  • Could become cumbersome to write lots of HTML logic in C#
• Pros of @helper:
  • Haven't seen any, I never use it
• Cons of @helper:
  • Haven't seen any, I never use it

Actually the thing is that @helper is IMHO completely useless. When you want the advantages I mentioned about a custom HtmlHelper extension, you, well, build a custom HtmlHelper extension.

And if you are confronted to some of the disadvantages I mentioned about the custom HtmlHelper extension, you, well, use a partial view.

I only read that in MVC 3 when @helper is created globally in seperate .cshtml file it's impossible to use other build-in html helpers.

That's wrong. You could perfectly fine use other Html helpers. You just have to pass them as parameters:

@helper FooBar(HtmlHelper html) {
    feel free to use the html helper here
}

and when consuming from a view:

@HelperName.FooBar(Html)