How to add reference to System.Web.Optimization for MVC-3-converted-to-4 app

asp.net Mvc-4Namespacesasp.net Optimization

asp.net Mvc-4 Problem Overview


I'm trying to use the new bundling feature in a project I recently converted from MVC 3 to MVC 4 beta. It requires a line of code in global.asax, BundleTable.Bundles.RegisterTemplateBundles();, which requires using System.Web.Optimization; at the top.

When I do this, I get the red squiggly lines that say, "Are you missing an assembly reference?" When I try and add reference, and click on the .NET tab in the dialog, sort from A-Z, I do not see System.Web.Optimization.

How do I add this reference to my project?

asp.net Mvc-4 Solutions


Solution 1 - asp.net Mvc-4

Update
Version 1.1.x is available, read the release notes: https://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization


The Microsoft.Web.Optimization package is now obsolete. With ASP.NET (MVC) 4 and higher you should install the Microsoft ASP.NET Web Optimization Framework:

  • Install the package from nuget:

     Install-Package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization
    
  • Create and configure bundle(s) in App_Start\BundleConfig.cs:

     public class BundleConfig
     {
         public static void RegisterBundles(BundleCollection bundles) {
             bundles.Add(new ScriptBundle("~/Scripts/jquery").Include(
                 "~/Scripts/Lib/jquery/jquery-{version}.js",
                 "~/Scripts/Lib/jquery/jquery.*",
                 "~/Scripts/Lib/jquery/jquery-ui-{version}.js")
             );
    
             bundles.Add(new ScriptBundle("~/Scripts/knockout").Include(
                  "~/Scripts/Lib/knockout/knockout-{version}.js",
                  "~/Scripts/Lib/knockout/knockout-deferred-updates.js")
             );
         }
     }
    
  • Call the RegisterBundles() function from Application_Start() in your global.asax.cs:

     using System.Web.Optimization;
    
     protected void Application_Start() {
          ...
          BundleConfig.RegisterBundles(BundleTable.Bundles);
          ...
     }
    
  • In your view.cshtml include the Optimization namespace and render the bundle(s):

     @using System.Web.Optimization
     
     @Scripts.Render("~/Scripts/jquery")
     @Scripts.Render("~/Scripts/knockout")
    

See http://www.asp.net/mvc/overview/performance/bundling-and-minification for more information

Solution 2 - asp.net Mvc-4

With the final released version of ASP.Net MVC 4 the approach is as follows:

  • Install Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization via nuget (as it is not installed by the framework)

     install-package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization
    
  • Create the bundle in Global.asax Application_Start:

     var scripts = new ScriptBundle("~/MyBundle");
     scripts.IncludeDirectory("~/Scripts/MyDirectory", "*.js");
     BundleTable.Bundles.Add(scripts);
    
  • Add the "System.Web.Optimization" namespace to the "Views" web.config:

     <pages pageBaseType="System.Web.Mvc.WebViewPage">
        <namespaces>
            <add namespace="System.Web.Optimization" />
        </namespaces>
    </pages>
    
  • In your view.cshtml add an include to the bundle created in the last step:

     @Scripts.Render("~/MyBundle")
    

In debug mode, all script files in your directory will render individually; in release mode they will be bundled and minified.

Solution 3 - asp.net Mvc-4

Update (reinstall) the package from nuget, you can use the command:

update-Package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization -reinstall

Solution 4 - asp.net Mvc-4

In my case it was a tfs issue, since tfs exclude binaries, so the Nugget PM find the nugget installed and don't update the library If you have similar issue :

  • Go to source control
  • Navigate to the ..\packages\Microsoft.Web.Optimization
  • Add lib folder (uncheck the exclude binary extensions)
  • Update your solution and add the dll reference from the path

NB : the package folder is in the same level of yousolution.sln file

Solution 5 - asp.net Mvc-4

Using nuget to uninstall System.Web.Optimization in the package manager console like this:

Uninstall-Package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization

Then reinstalling using:

Install-Package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization

May solve this problem for you.

Solution 6 - asp.net Mvc-4

Install it from NUGet through Visual Studio Open Visual Studio 2010 , select Tools-> Library Package Manager-> Package Manager Console

This will open the conslve, paste

Install-Package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization 

and enter. and you are done

Solution 7 - asp.net Mvc-4

set in Global.asax application_start (in RELEASE mode etc.) :

BundleTable.EnableOptimizations = **true**;

to enable minification and change to false in DEBUG mode to render all script and style files individually.

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QuestionIan DavisView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - asp.net Mvc-4mhuView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - asp.net Mvc-4Noel AbrahamsView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - asp.net Mvc-4M. SalahView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - asp.net Mvc-4amineView Answer on Stackoverflow
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