Understanding WebMatrix Helpers using Visual Studio's Object Browser

This post provides details about viewing the Helper classes and members contained in the WebMatrix (Beta) assemblies.

I found it very useful to use the Object Browser in Visual Studio to check the WebMatrix assemblies and see the parameters I can expect to use in the helper methods. The Object Browser is a great tool for exploring assemblies. It may not give you all the information you're looking for, but it's interesting! Our beta docs provide a lot of good info, but we have yet to create a specific reference document that details all of the helper API.

To view the WebMatrix class and members, you'll need to make sure you have WebMatrix installed.

Here is how you can take a look at the WebMatrix assemblies using the Object Browser.

1. Start up Visual Studio. I'm using Visual Studio 2010.

2. From the View menu, select Object Browser.

3. Once the Object Browser opens, select the ellipses shown below.

4. When the Edit Custom Component Set dialog box is displayed, open the WebMatrix assemblies folder (shown below).

5. Select all the assemblies in the folder.

6. Click the Add button.

7. Click the OK button.

To find a specific helper, follow these steps.

1. In the search box type "Video" and push Enter.

2. Clear the search box and push Enter. This will show the namespaces while keeping the helper in view.

3. Select the helper members that you wish to know more about.

For more information about the Object Browser, see Visual Studio 2010 Object Browser.

Hope this is helpful!

-- Erik Reitan
ASP.NET User Education
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.