How to Create Code Snippet Using C#

In this article I will discuss how to create a code snippet. Visual Studio allows developers to save snippets of code which can be inserted at a later time. This saves on retyping blocks of code that are used often. I also find it very useful when I have to show code during presentations. Instead of typing everything live, I find it far easier to simply add the code block by block using code snippets.

Fallow the steps to create a code snippet using Visual Studio 2010.



Default Blank XML:

Default snippet generated XML tags:



Modified XML tags.

Add the SQL Connection Code to ![CDATA[]]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<CodeSnippet Format="1.0.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/2005/CodeSnippet">
<Header>
<Title>SqlInsert</Title>
<Author>Ravindra</Author>
<Shortcut>SqlIns</Shortcut>
<Description>Sql Connection</Description>
<SnippetTypes>
<SnippetType>SurroundsWith</SnippetType>
<SnippetType>Expansion</SnippetType>
</SnippetTypes>
</Header>
<Snippet>
<Declarations>
<Literal>
<ID>message</ID>
<Default>my function</Default>
</Literal>
</Declarations>
<Code Language="CSharp">
<![CDATA[
SqlConnection con = new SqlConnection();
try
{
con.Open();
SqlCommand cmd = con.CreateCommand();
cmd.CommandText = "";
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("", "");
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("", "");
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("", "");
cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
}
catch (Exception)
{

throw;
}
finally
{
con.Close();
}]]>
</Code>
</Snippet>
</CodeSnippet>

Snippet IntelliSense



Snippet generated C# code