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  3. A question of style: Inline code in .aspx pages.

A question of style: Inline code in .aspx pages.

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  • C Offline
    C Offline
    Chris Maunder
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

    cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

    H L M C N 18 Replies Last reply
    0
    • C Chris Maunder

      Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

      cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

      H Offline
      H Offline
      Hans Dietrich
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Alternatively, you could just do what you think is best, considering you will be the one maintaining it. :)

      Best wishes, Hans


      [Hans Dietrich Software]

      C 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • H Hans Dietrich

        Alternatively, you could just do what you think is best, considering you will be the one maintaining it. :)

        Best wishes, Hans


        [Hans Dietrich Software]

        C Offline
        C Offline
        Chris Maunder
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Hans Dietrich wrote:

        considering you will be the one maintaining it.

        I think that's a terrible way to think. Every line of code I write I always think "some poor bastard will have to maintain this one day". Sometimes I make it easy for them. Sometimes I leave them presents. You know - the type your cat sometimes leaves you.

        cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

        I H D 3 Replies Last reply
        0
        • C Chris Maunder

          Hans Dietrich wrote:

          considering you will be the one maintaining it.

          I think that's a terrible way to think. Every line of code I write I always think "some poor bastard will have to maintain this one day". Sometimes I make it easy for them. Sometimes I leave them presents. You know - the type your cat sometimes leaves you.

          cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

          I Offline
          I Offline
          Indivara
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          You should think, "JSOP will have to maintain this one day". That will get rid of the "presents". If you want a non-expert opinion, I would prefer to keep them separate. Since the paradigm keeps changing, that looks like the sensible thing to do. Mixing them will mean that you'll probably have to separate them one day.

          H 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • C Chris Maunder

            Hans Dietrich wrote:

            considering you will be the one maintaining it.

            I think that's a terrible way to think. Every line of code I write I always think "some poor bastard will have to maintain this one day". Sometimes I make it easy for them. Sometimes I leave them presents. You know - the type your cat sometimes leaves you.

            cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

            H Offline
            H Offline
            Hans Dietrich
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            It can get to be a problem, when - 6 months from now - you look at some code and think, "Man, I do NOT remember writing this stuff." :)

            Best wishes, Hans


            [Hans Dietrich Software]

            C 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • I Indivara

              You should think, "JSOP will have to maintain this one day". That will get rid of the "presents". If you want a non-expert opinion, I would prefer to keep them separate. Since the paradigm keeps changing, that looks like the sensible thing to do. Mixing them will mean that you'll probably have to separate them one day.

              H Offline
              H Offline
              Hans Dietrich
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Indivara wrote:

              Mixing them will mean that you'll probably have to separate them one day.

              Are you sure? You know how Chris is always chasing the latest paradigm du jour. :)

              Best wishes, Hans


              [Hans Dietrich Software]

              G 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • C Chris Maunder

                Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Although I've not given it too much of a look, I couldn't see much advantage in MVCing it over the "Separation of Church and State" that I "grew up on " I hated ASP so much that I developed my own variation, using ISAPI, that allowed for the separation much more than traditional ASP, until ASP.Net came along.

                ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                B 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • C Chris Maunder

                  Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                  cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                  M Offline
                  M Offline
                  Mike Hankey
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  I try to segregate as much as possible seems a lot cleaner to me. KISS

                  If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right? http://www.hq4thmarinescomm.com[^] [My Site]

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • C Chris Maunder

                    Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                    cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                    C Offline
                    C Offline
                    Christian Graus
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    The main reason I am not sure about MVC is that I think inline code is an abortion. I'll avoid it at all costs. I LIKE readable web code.

                    Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.

                    B 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • H Hans Dietrich

                      It can get to be a problem, when - 6 months from now - you look at some code and think, "Man, I do NOT remember writing this stuff." :)

                      Best wishes, Hans


                      [Hans Dietrich Software]

                      C Offline
                      C Offline
                      Chris Maunder
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Usually I think "wow - that must have been a really, really good bottle of red when I wrote that stuff"

                      cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                      J 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • C Chris Maunder

                        Usually I think "wow - that must have been a really, really good bottle of red when I wrote that stuff"

                        cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                        J Offline
                        J Offline
                        Jorgen Andersson
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Drinking at work! Where do I apply?

                        List of common misconceptions

                        C 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • C Chris Maunder

                          Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                          cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                          N Offline
                          N Offline
                          Nagy Vilmos
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          It's horses for corses. If there's more code then separate them otherwise let them mingle like a Kentucky family.


                          Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. or "Drink. Get drunk. Fall over." - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • C Chris Maunder

                            Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                            cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            R Giskard Reventlov
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Logic dictates a clean separation of concerns and nothing brought me more joy than .Net: I would be very reticent about MVC: the concept is great, the execution not so much. besides, 'traditional' Asp.Net is easier to maintain and read. Still, each to their own.

                            "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • C Chris Maunder

                              Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                              cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              realJSOP
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              I haven't done an aspx page in a few years, but I would still try to keep it separate. I want as little as possible in the actual HTML... Of course, I don't fall into the crowd that gets a woody every time some industry pundit postulates about some new paradigm.

                              ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                              -----
                              You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                              -----
                              "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • H Hans Dietrich

                                Indivara wrote:

                                Mixing them will mean that you'll probably have to separate them one day.

                                Are you sure? You know how Chris is always chasing the latest paradigm du jour. :)

                                Best wishes, Hans


                                [Hans Dietrich Software]

                                G Offline
                                G Offline
                                Gary Wheeler
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                I first read that as "paramour per diem" :rolleyes:.

                                Software Zen: delete this;

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • C Chris Maunder

                                  Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                                  cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  James Simpson
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  With ASP.NET MVC, when done properly the seperation is still there. Use a good view engine and stick to using display/editor templates, including display templates for lists and you end up with just standard Html.RenderMeSomethingOnThePage calls which pretty much represent the same magic as the blocks a designer would have to deal with. But, in response to your original question - yes, you should seperate (And keep view logic down to a minimum).. but does anyone ever do that? Nobody I have ever worked with did! (including myself)

                                  James Simpson Web Solutions Developer www.methodworx.com

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • C Chris Maunder

                                    Hans Dietrich wrote:

                                    considering you will be the one maintaining it.

                                    I think that's a terrible way to think. Every line of code I write I always think "some poor bastard will have to maintain this one day". Sometimes I make it easy for them. Sometimes I leave them presents. You know - the type your cat sometimes leaves you.

                                    cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                                    D Offline
                                    D Offline
                                    Dan Neely
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Chris Maunder wrote:

                                    I think that's a terrible way to think. Every line of code I write I always think "some poor bastard will have to maintain this one day".

                                    ... immediately followed by thinking "I need a raise". :laugh:

                                    3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • C Chris Maunder

                                      Back in the dark ages when we wrote ASP pages, our only real choice was to inter-mingle our code and our HTML. We'd write a little HTML, then open a script block with <%, then emit some data, or start a loop, or open a connection to a database or whatever. Then we'd close the block and continue on with HTML. Then came ASP.NET and WebForms and suddenly the code-behind (and then code-beside) model dictated that there was a separation of code and markup. You were meant to be able to scatter your server-side controls onto a page like any other markup, code against it in the code-behind, then send just the .aspx page with the markup to a designer who would make it perfect and who would never be able to break you code, since there was no code on the page. Then came MVC and suddenly we're back to inline code. Well, not necessarily code - more inline binding of the properties of the view-model. Except where you need to loop. And maybe that bit where you need to branch. And maybe that other bit, too. The whole argument for the clean, precise separation of code and markup seems to never be mentioned these days and so I'd like to know how ASP.NET developers feel about this. Regardless of what framework you use, do you mix it up like it's 1999? Do you stick to your guns and keep Church and State separated? Or do you embrace the inline binding of view-model to view and just not get carried away too much. If possible?

                                      cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                                      V Offline
                                      V Offline
                                      Vark111
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Situation: based on the contents of some model property, you have to display a particular DIV as one css class or another. So how do you solve this *without* mixing markup and code? Regardless if you're using MVC or not? Either your model has to have CSS class string constants embeded internally (BAD) or you have to branch in your markup (BAD). So which would you do? Me? I choose to branch in my markup. Deciding which css class to use is very definitely a display concern, so it belongs in the view/aspx/cshtml/whatever.

                                      P B 2 Replies Last reply
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                                      • J Jorgen Andersson

                                        Drinking at work! Where do I apply?

                                        List of common misconceptions

                                        C Offline
                                        C Offline
                                        Chris Maunder
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        We've had the job posted for ages but no many responses. Ah well, we're short on glasses anyway.

                                        cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                                        J F 2 Replies Last reply
                                        0
                                        • C Chris Maunder

                                          We've had the job posted for ages but no many responses. Ah well, we're short on glasses anyway.

                                          cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP

                                          J Offline
                                          J Offline
                                          Jorgen Andersson
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Now that you mention it, I don't recall having seen the job board for ages. Just out of curiosity, do you have a link?

                                          List of common misconceptions

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