What is a CSHTML file?

A file with .cshtml extension is a C# HTML file that is used at server side by Razor Markup engine to render the webpage files to user’s browser. This server side coding is similar to the standard ASP.NET page enabling dynamic web content creation on the fly as the webpage is written to the browser. The server executes the server-side code inside the page before sending the generated page to the browser. Complex tasks such as accessing databases and rendering complex views. CSHTML files can be generated and programmed using Microsoft Visual Studio.

CSHTML File Format

CSHTML files are text files that follow the syntax outlined by Razor markup engine. Razor supports both C# and VB.NET, and it is easy to learn and use than classic ASP and ASP.NET. The w3schools has a simple yet effective guide for syntax of C# and VB.NET coding of Razor.

CSHTML Example

Following is C# Code example used in a CSHTML file for Razor.

<!-- Single statement block -->
@{ var myMessage = "Hello World"; }

<!-- Inline expression or variable -->
<p>The value of myMessage is: @myMessage</p>

<!-- Multi-statement block -->
@{
var greeting = "Welcome to our site!";
var weekDay = DateTime.Now.DayOfWeek;
var greetingMessage = greeting + " Here in Huston it is: " + weekDay;
}
<p>The greeting is: @greetingMessage</p>

The equivalent VB.NET code for Razor is as follow.

<!-- Single statement block  -->
@Code dim myMessage = "Hello World" End Code

<!-- Inline expression or variable -->
<p>The value of myMessage is: @myMessage</p>

<!-- Multi-statement block -->
@Code
dim greeting = "Welcome to our site!"
dim weekDay = DateTime.Now.DayOfWeek
dim greetingMessage = greeting & " Here in Huston it is: " & weekDay
End Code

<p>The greeting is: @greetingMessage</p>

Key Characteristics of the CSHTML File Format

CSHTML vs. HTML: What’s the Difference?

It is easy to confuse CSHTML with standard HTML, but they serve very different purposes :

• Static vs. Dynamic: An HTML file is static. It displays the same content every time it is opened. A CSHTML file is dynamic; its content can change based on logic executed on the server.
• Execution Location: HTML is interpreted by the browser (client-side). CSHTML is parsed and executed by the server (server-side). The server then sends the resulting HTML to the browser.
• Content: An HTML file contains only markup (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). A CSHTML file contains markup and server-side C# code

FAQ

Can I open a CSHTML file in a web browser?

A: No, you cannot open a CSHTML file directly in a browser like Chrome or Firefox. If you try, the browser will likely show raw code or an error. The file must be hosted on a web server (like IIS or Kestrel) that processes the server-side code and serves the resulting HTML .

Q2: What is the difference between CSHTML and VBHTML?

A: The difference is the server-side programming language used. CSHTML uses C# as the programming language inside the HTML, while VBHTML uses Visual Basic (.NET) . CSHTML is far more common today.

Q3: Is CSHTML only for web applications?

A: Primarily, yes. CSHTML is designed as a “View” file for ASP.NET MVC and Razor Pages web applications. Its sole purpose is to render the user interface for web apps.

Q4: Can I convert a CSHTML file to a static HTML file?

A: Yes, you can “convert” it by running the project and viewing the page in a browser, then saving the source code. However, this saves the output at that specific moment. The logic inside the CSHTML (like database calls) will not work in a static HTML file, making it a one-time snapshot.

Q5: Do I need Visual Studio to write CSHTML files?

A: No. Since CSHTML files are text-based, you can write them in any code editor like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or even Notepad. However, using Visual Studio or VS Code is recommended because it provides features like IntelliSense and debugging that make coding much easier.

References

• Razor Syntax Reference - Microsoft