The Setup class in MvvmCross plays a crucial role as a bootstrapper for the framework, responsible for initializing and configuring the application's infrastructure. It is a mandatory component in every platform-specific project, such as iOS, Android, or UWP, and serves several key functions:
1. Framework Initialization: The Setup class initializes the MvvmCross framework by setting up essential components like the Inversion of Control (IoC) container, data-binding engine, ViewModel/View lookups, navigation system, and plugins. This process occurs in two main steps: `InitializePrimary` and `InitializeSecondary`. The former initializes core components on the main thread, while the latter constructs platform services in the background[1][9].
2. App Class Creation: The Setup class is responsible for creating an instance of the `App` class, which is defined in the core project. The `App` class initializes the application's business logic and ViewModels[4][10].
3. Service Registration: It provides a place to register platform-specific services and plugins using the IoC container. This allows developers to inject dependencies into their application, making it easier to manage complex logic across different platforms[4][10].
4. Customization: The Setup class offers opportunities for customization through methods like `InitializeFirstChance` and `InitializeLastChance`. These methods allow developers to register platform-specific business objects or services, such as encryption services, before the application fully initializes[10].
5. Debugging and Logging: It is also involved in setting up debugging and logging mechanisms, such as creating a `DebugTrace` instance, which helps in diagnosing issues during development[7].
In summary, the Setup class is essential for bootstrapping MvvmCross applications, ensuring that all necessary components are properly initialized and configured before the application starts. It acts as a bridge between the platform-specific UI project and the core logic defined in the portable class library (PCL) or .NET Standard library.
Citations:[1] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/tutorials/tipcalc/a-xamarinios-ui-project
[2] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/34329985/
[3] https://coderpad.io/blog/development/a-guide-to-database-unit-testing-with-pytest-and-sqlalchemy/
[4] https://leaware.com/creating-cross-platform-xamarin-applications-using-the-mvvmcross-framework/
[5] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2014/august/windows-phone-build-mvvm-apps-with-xamarin-and-mvvmcross
[6] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17602137/mvvmcross-how-does-this-view-get-linked-to-the-viewmodel/17602246
[7] https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/863695/Introduction-to-Mvvmcross-Platform
[8] https://nicksnettravels.builttoroam.com/post-2017-12-28-making-mvvmcross-with-xamarin-forms-friction-free-aspx/
[9] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/getting-started/mvvmcross-overview
[10] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/advanced/customizing-using-App-and-Setup
[11] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/48132099/how-is-setup-class-instantiated-in-mvvmcross-in-xamarin