# Basic Razor Syntax

*Shows how to perform common logical tasks in Razor like if/else, foreach loops, switch statements and using the @ character to separate code and markup.*

## The @ symbol

The @ symbol is used in Razor to initiate code, and tell the compiler where to start interpreting code, instead of returning the content of the file as text. Using a single character for this separation, results in cleaner, compact code which is easier to read.

```csharp
@* Writing a value inside a html element *@

<p>@Model.Name</p>

@* Inside an attribute *@
<a href="@Model.Url()">@Model.Name</a>

@* Using it to start logical structures *@
@if (selection?.Length > 0)
{
    <ul>
        @foreach (var item in selection)
        {
            <li>
                <a href="@item.Url(PublishedUrlProvider)">@item.Name</a>
            </li>
        }
    </ul>
}
```

## Embedding comments in razor

Commenting your code is important, use comments to explain what the code does. `@* *@` indicates a comment, which will not be visible in the rendered output.

```csharp
@* Here we check if the name is equal to foobar *@
@if (Model.Name == "foobar")
{
    @foreach (var child in Model.Children())
    {
        @* here we write stuff for each child page *@
        <p>write stuff</p>
    }
}
```

## If/else

If/else statements perform one task if a condition is true, and another if the condition is not true

```csharp
@if (Model.Name == "home")
{
    <p>This is the homepage!</p>
}

@if (Model.NodeTypeAlias == "TextPage")
{
    <p>This is a textpage</p>
}
else
{
    <p>This is NOT a textpage</p>
}
```

## Foreach loops

A foreach loop goes through a collection of items, typically a collection of pages and performs an action for each item

```csharp
@foreach (var item in Model.Children())
{
    <p>The item name is: @Item.Name</p>
}
```

## Switch block

A Switch block is used when testing a large number of conditions

```csharp
@switch (Model.WeekDay)
{
    case "Monday":
        "<p>It is Monday</p>";
        break;
    case "Tuesday":
        "<p>It is Tuesday</p>";
        break;
    case "Wednesday":
        "<p>It is Wednesday</p>";
        break;
    default:
        "<p>It's some day of the week</p>";
        break;
}
```

### More information

* [More examples](/umbraco-cms/reference/templating/mvc/examples.md)
* [Querying](/umbraco-cms/reference/querying.md)


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