How do you use inline code to set the value of a checkbox

Question

I have a list of checkboxes that get created dynamically in a loop and when I try to set the value with inline-code, it just gives me the inline code without evaluating it. Here is an example:

<ul>
   <%
    string testValue = string.Empty;
    for(int index = 0; index < 5; index++)
    {
        testValue = "blah" + index;
     %>
        <li>
            <input type="checkbox" runat="server" value="<%= testValue %>" />
        </li>
    <%
    }
     %>
</ul>

and here is the output I'm getting:

<ul>        
<li>
   <input name="ctl00$MainContent$ctl00" type="checkbox" value="&lt;%= testValue %>" />
</li>

<li>
    <input name="ctl00$MainContent$ctl00" type="checkbox" value="&lt;%= testValue %>" />
</li>

<li>
     <input name="ctl00$MainContent$ctl00" type="checkbox" value="&lt;%= testValue %>" />
</li>

<li>
      <input name="ctl00$MainContent$ctl00" type="checkbox" value="&lt;%= testValue %>" />
</li>

<li>
      <input name="ctl00$MainContent$ctl00" type="checkbox" value="&lt;%= testValue %>" />
</li>
</ul>

Can someone PLEASE help me with this?

Answer 1

Since you are using runat="server" already, I would recommend just using server-side controls to manage your dynamic content, like this:

<ul>
    <asp:Repeater ID="Repeater1" runat="server" 
                  OnItemDataBound="Repeater1_ItemDataBound">
        <ItemTemplate>
            <li>
                <asp:CheckBox id="check1" runat="server" />
            </li>
        </ItemTemplate>
    </asp:Repeater>
</ul>

Now when you bind the repeater (OnItemDataBound), you can access the .Text property of the checkbox, like this:

protected void Repeater1_ItemDataBound(Object sender, RepeaterItemEventArgs e) 
{
    // This event is raised for the header, the footer, separators, and items.
    // Execute the following logic for Items and Alternating Items.
    if (e.Item.ItemType == ListItemType.Item || e.Item.ItemType == ListItemType.AlternatingItem) 
    {
        CheckBox theCheckBox = e.Item.FindControl("check1") as CheckBox;

        // Make sure we found the check box before we try to use it
        if(theCheckBox != null)
        {
            theCheckBox.Text = "Your Text Value Here";
        }
    }
}

Note: Using code-behind allows you to leverage the power of the Visual Studio debugger more easily and use IntelliSense to help reduce typos and catch more problems at compile-time versus run-time.