Reusing method of T4 template in other T4 templates

Question

At the end of my T4 template file I have some functions defined:

<#+
    type Foo(...) { ... }
    type Bar(...) { ... }
    ...
#>

It works fine.

Now I'm creating other template. Is there any way to use functions declared in my first template file (maybe by using third file to store these functions)?

Answer 1

You can use the include directive to share code that is in another file.

<#@ include file="Included.tt" #>

Answer 2

Matt answer is 100% correct... but I prefer to use a "Model" , sometimes in a different assembly , that way I can use the Template more like a view without the logic for code generation , with exception of very simple loops, (for,foreachs...etc). I thinks later on is way easier to read. maintain, reuse and troubleshoot. due to the model being written in plain c# , simplistic , and not tested example

 <#@ output extension=".generated.cs" #>
 <#@ assembly name="$(SolutionDir)Bin\Net45\GeneratorModel.dll" #>
 <#@ import namespace="System.Collections.Generic" #>
 <#@ import namespace="GeneratorModel" #>
 <#@ import namespace="Extensions" #>
 <# IEnumerable<Type> entities = GetCollection();
    const string nameSpace = GetNameSpace();
  #> //Autogenerated Stuff
  using System;
  using System.Collections.Generic;
  namespace <#=nameSpace#> 
  {
    public interface IEntity{}

    <# foreach (var entity in entities){#>  

    #region class

    public partial class <#=entity.Name#> : IEntity {
        <#foreach(var prop in entity.GetPublicProperties()){#>
          /* More stuff Here .. */              
        <#}#>
    }

    #endregion class    
    <#}#>                                       
   }<#// End OF NameSpace #>