Using One-Time binding in MvvmCross offers several benefits over other binding modes, particularly in specific scenarios:
1. Reduced Overhead: One-Time binding is useful when you need to set a value from the ViewModel to the View only once, without continuously monitoring for changes. This reduces the overhead associated with maintaining a binding, as it doesn't require the framework to listen for updates from the ViewModel. This is particularly beneficial for static data that doesn't change once it's set, such as text from language files[1][3].
2. Performance in Recycled Views: While One-Time bindings can be problematic in recycled views like those in `MvxRecyclerView`, they are ideal for scenarios where views are not recycled or where the data is static and doesn't need to be updated dynamically. However, in cases where views are recycled, One-Time bindings may not behave as expected because the views are reused and rebound as they appear on the screen[7].
3. Simplified Binding Infrastructure: Since One-Time bindings only update when the binding context changes, they simplify the binding infrastructure by eliminating the need to monitor source property changes. This can lead to cleaner code and fewer potential issues related to continuous updates[4].
4. Appropriate for Read-Only Data: One-Time binding is well-suited for displaying read-only data that is known at initialization time and doesn't change. This includes scenarios like showing static information such as restaurant hours, where the data is set once and doesn't need further updates[3].
5. Consistency with Static Data: In applications where certain data is static and doesn't change frequently, One-Time binding ensures that this data is set correctly without unnecessary updates. This maintains consistency in the UI without the overhead of continuous monitoring[1][3].
In summary, One-Time binding in MvvmCross is beneficial when dealing with static data that doesn't require continuous updates, offering reduced overhead and simplified binding management. However, it may not be suitable for dynamic or frequently changing data, or in scenarios where views are recycled.
Citations:[1] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/fundamentals/data-binding
[2] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/41768962/mvvmcross-default-binding-mode-used-in-a-project
[3] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/25460030/when-to-use-mvvmcross-data-bindings
[4] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/maui/fundamentals/data-binding/binding-mode?view=net-maui-9.0
[5] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/advanced/custom-data-binding
[6] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17156368/
[7] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/48910503/binding-mode-onetime-in-mvxrecyclerview
[8] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2014/august/windows-phone-build-mvvm-apps-with-xamarin-and-mvvmcross
[9] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/fundamentals/viewmodel-lifecycle