Get argument value from TextTransform.exe into the template

Question

Hello,

I can't found some example how can I use argument -a when I use TextTransform.exe to generate code from templates. In MSDN is following description for argument -a:

"Specifies a parameter that a directive processor can query for as a name/value pair. The directive processor and identifier are optional. This allows parameters to be specified for any directive processor or any instance of a particular directive processor."

I need some set of arguments like connection string and so on in my template. My idea was to get a path to configuration file with help of argument -a.

Regards Anton Kalcik

UPDATE: To be clear enough, I want read parameters direct in template.

Answer 1

The -a argument accepts values in the following format:

!!

These are also the parameters of ITextTemplatingEngineHost.ResolveParameterValue method which you need to call in order to get parameter value in template code.

Answer 2

Text Template Transformation Toolkit(T4) is from Microsoft not very well supported. Only few examples. If you want to know more go to Olegs Sychs blog. T4 is here very deeply explained.

After of hours to trying to get parameters from TextTransform.exe in my template I found a solution:

Add hostspecific="true" attribute to template element as follows:

<#@ template language="C#v3.5" hostspecific="true"#>

Later in template you can call ResolveParameterValue as Oleg mentioned.

Example:

<#

 string parameterTest = Host.ResolveParameterValue(null, null, "someKey");
 WriteLine(parameterTest);

#>

You call template generator so:

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\TextTemplating\1.2\TextTransform.exe" -a !!someKey!someValue

After generating should be in generated file: 'someValue'