Binding and project context evaluation

Binding and project context evaluation

Overview

Since .NET SDK 7.0.100 template engine supports binding of symbols to various external sources, including MSBuild properties of the current project. The feature is available for both dotnet new and Visual Studio.

bind symbols

The symbol binds value from external sources. By default, the following sources are available:

• host parameters - parameters defined at certain host. For .NET SDK the following parameters are defined: HostIdentifier: dotnetcli, GlobalJsonExists: true/false. Binding syntax is host:<param name>, example: host:HostIdentifier.
• environment variables - allows to bind environment variables. Binding syntax is env:<environment variable name>, example: env:MYENVVAR.

It is also possible to bind the parameter without the prefix as a fallback behavior: HostIdentifier, MYENVVAR.

The priority of the sources are following:

• host parameters: 100
• environment variables: 0

The higher value indicates higher priority.

Name	Description
type	bind
binding	Mandatory. The name of the source and parameter in the source to take the value from. The syntax follows: <source prefix>:<parameter name>.
replaces	The text to be replaced by the symbol value in the template files content.
fileRename	The portion of template filenames to be replaced by the symbol value.
defaultValue	The value assigned to the symbol if no value was provided from external source(s).

Example

"symbols": {
   "HostIdentifier": {
      "type": "bind",
      "binding": "host:HostIdentifier"
    }
}

Binding to MSBuild properties

It is possible to bind symbols to MSBuild properties of the current project. The prefix to be used: msbuild and it is mandatory. Commonly used with item templates to get the information about the project it is added to.

dotnet new attempts to find the closest project file using following rules:

• The project in current directory or --output directory (matching *.*proj extension).
• If not found, the parent of above and so on.
• The path to the project can be explicitly specified using --project instantiation option. This path takes precedence - so it can be used in case of ambiguity.

Once project is located, its MSBuild properties are evaluated. The project should be restored, otherwise evaluation fails. Only .NET SDK-style projects are supported.

It is recommended to configure defaultValue for bind symbol that will be used in case evaluation fails. If applicable, it is also recommended to use project capability constraint to define the projects that the template can be added to.

Example - binds DefaultNamespace symbol to RootNamespace of the project:

"symbols": {
  "DefaultNamespace": {
    "type": "bind",
    "binding": "msbuild:RootNamespace",
    "replaces": "%NAMESPACE%",
    "defaultValue": "TestNamespace"
  }
},
"constraints": {
  "csharp-only": {
    "type": "project-capability",
    "args": "CSharp + TestContainer" // only allowed in C# test project
  }
}

Visual Studio specifics

Visual Studio supports binding to host parameters, environment variables and MSBuild properties. In addition to that, there is additional context source supporting:

• context:cratesolutiondirectory - indicates whether a solution directory is to be created as a result of project creation (Place solution and project in same directory is UNCHECKED in NPD).
• context:isexclusive - indicates whether the template instantiation is a result of a new project being created (true) vs result of adding to an existing solution (false).
• context:solutionname - the name of the solution, which may be different from the project name.

Visual Studio also provides a way to bind to "namespace" via host parameters source:

  "type": "bind"
  "binding": "namespace"

or

  "type": "bind"
  "binding": "host:namespace"