Question

I want to use the ACE online code editor in my project. How do I use it in ASP.NET MVC?

I’d like to save whatever edits are made with that editor in the database. How do I do that?

Answer 1

Let’s assume you have a strong typed model with a property called Editor with the data in it. Now use a normal <div> to load the data:

<div id="editor"><%=Model.Editor %></div>

Now you can create an ace editor in place of the div with javascript:

<script src="src/ace.js" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script>
window.onload = function() {
    var editor = ace.edit("editor");
};
</script>

Now when you want to save the data, for instance via a form post, use something like this to bind it back to the Editor property of the model:

<%=Html.HiddenFor(m=>m.Editor, new { @id = "hidden_editor" }) %>

<!-- this is jQuery, but you can use any JS framework for this -->
<script>
    $("form").submit(function () {
        $("#hidden_editor").val(editor.getSession().getValue());
    });
</script>

In your controller you can now save the data to the database

[HttpPost]
public ActionResult Index (IndexModel model) {
    var data = model.Editor;
    // save data in database
}