If you are new to MVC in ASP.NET, it is only natural that your first attempt at using it will involve the use of server controls. If you create a blank ASP.NET MVC Website and add a Repeater Control to the Index View of the Home Controller:
and try to access it from the codebehind, you might freak out a bit that you won't be able to access the Repeater Control.
The problem is that we have all been spoiled by the designer file that is normally associated with Web Application Projects. As you drop server controls on the form, controls are automatically declared in a partial class in the designer file. If you check out your ASP.NET MVC solution, you will notice the absence of these designer files. Adding them is as simple as right-clicking on the view file and choosing "Convert to Web Application".
This will add the designer file associated with the view.
The Repeater Control will now be declared in the designer file:
public partial class Index {
/// <summary>
/// Repeater1 control.
/// </summary>
/// <remarks>
/// Auto-generated field.
/// To modify move field declaration from designer file to code-behind file.
/// </remarks>
protected global::System.Web.UI.WebControls.Repeater Repeater1;
}
and available in the code-behind file.
Hopefully this helps.