MvvmCross is a powerful cross-platform MVVM framework that offers several benefits for developing cross-platform applications, particularly when used with Xamarin. Here are some of the key advantages of using MvvmCross:
MVVM Pattern and Code Reuse
MvvmCross allows developers to implement the Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) pattern, which is beneficial for separating application logic from the user interface. This separation enables the reuse of business logic across different platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Windows, by placing ViewModels in a Portable Class Library (PCL) or .NET Standard library[1][2]. This approach significantly enhances code reuse, as the same ViewModel can be used across multiple platforms, with each platform implementing its native UI.Data Binding
MvvmCross supports data binding, which is crucial for the MVVM pattern. Data binding allows UI elements to be automatically updated when the underlying data changes, reducing the need for manual updates and boilerplate code[3][5]. This feature helps maintain a clean separation of concerns between the UI and the business logic.Dependency Injection and Inversion of Control
MvvmCross includes a built-in Inversion of Control (IoC) container that supports dependency injection. This allows developers to easily manage dependencies between components and services. By using constructor injection, ViewModels can receive platform-specific services without needing to know the implementation details, making it easier to write cross-platform code[2][5].Plugins and Platform-Specific Functionality
MvvmCross offers a plugin architecture that enables developers to create and use platform-specific features without duplicating code. These plugins can be easily installed via NuGet and provide functionalities like camera access, GPS, or database operations, which are implemented differently on each platform[1][2]. This approach simplifies the integration of platform-specific services into cross-platform applications.Testability
One of the significant benefits of using MvvmCross is the improved testability of ViewModels. Since ViewModels contain the business logic and are decoupled from the UI, they can be easily tested independently of the platform-specific UI code[2][5]. This makes it easier to write unit tests for the application logic.Navigation and View Presenters
MvvmCross provides a powerful ViewModel-first navigation system, which includes ViewPresenters. These components help manage how Views are presented on different platforms, allowing for more flexibility in navigation and UI presentation[8].Flexibility and Extensibility
MvvmCross supports both Xamarin native and Xamarin.Forms development approaches, offering flexibility in choosing how to implement the UI layer[9]. Additionally, its open-source nature and active community ensure that it can be extended and customized to meet specific project needs.Overall, MvvmCross enhances cross-platform development by promoting code reuse, simplifying platform-specific implementations, and improving application maintainability and testability.
Citations:[1] https://www.suneco.nl/blogs/boost-your-xamarin-native-projects-with-mvvmcross/
[2] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2014/august/windows-phone-build-mvvm-apps-with-xamarin-and-mvvmcross
[3] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/fundamentals/data-binding
[4] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/32220007/what-does-mvvmcross-do-that-xamarin-doesnt-already
[5] https://www.cms.lk/mvvmcross-a-cross-platform-mobile-platform-for-xamarin/
[6] https://www.velvetech.com/blog/5-reasons-use-mobile-cross-platform-development/
[7] https://www.toptal.com/app/xamarin-mvvmcross-skiasharp-cross-platform
[8] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/getting-started/mvvmcross-overview
[9] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/getting-started/getting-started