asp.net mvc razor extra space

Since this still a problem with the <text> tag in MVC 3 RTM + Tools Update and it can be a real headache to deal with, an alternative to eddiegroves’ approach of removing whitespace from the code formatting is to avoid the use of the <text> tag altogether.

First, here is a rewrite of the original code that reproduces the problem and actually prints “1 , 2 , 3”:

    @for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
      @i
      if (i < 3) {
        <text>, </text>
      }
    }

Here are four alternatives that print “1, 2, 3” instead of “1 , 2 , 3”, but preserve code formatting by using @something instead of <text>.

Solution #1: Using @(“”)

@for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
    @i
    if (i < 3) {
        @(", ")
    }
}

Solution #2: Using @var

@for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
    var s = i < 3 ? ", " : null;
    @i @s
}

Solution #3: Using @(expression)

@for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
    @i @(i < 3 ? ", " : null)
}

Solution #4: Using @helpers

@helper Item(int index) {
    @index
}

@helper Separator(int index, int count) {
    if (index < count) {
        @(", ")
    }
}

@for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
    @Item(i) @Separator(i, 3)
}

That last one is obviously overkill for the example, but might be a useful pattern for more complicated items and separators.