How do I implement Microsoft.Extensions.Logging in MvvmCross 8

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Microsoft.Extensions.Logging

**Microsoft.Extensions.Logging is a part of the .NET Core framework that provides a common logging interface. It allows you to add various logging providers such as console, debug, or third-party frameworks like Serilog or NLog[4][7].

Step 2: Install Required NuGet Packages

To use Microsoft.Extensions.Logging in your MvvmCross project, you need to install the necessary NuGet packages. This typically includes:

- Microsoft.Extensions.Logging**
- Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions**
- Optionally, packages for specific logging providers like Serilog or NLog.

You can install these packages using the NuGet Package Manager or the .NET CLI:

bash
dotnet add package Microsoft.Extensions.Logging
dotnet add package Serilog
dotnet add package Serilog.Extensions.Logging

Step 3: Configure Logging in MvvmCross Setup

In MvvmCross 8, you need to configure logging in your application's setup class. This involves overriding methods to create an ILoggerProvider and an ILoggerFactory.

Here's an example using Serilog as the logging provider:

csharp
public class Setup : MvxWpfSetup
{
    protected override ILoggerProvider CreateLogProvider()
    {
        return new SerilogLoggerProvider();
    }

    protected override ILoggerFactory CreateLogFactory()
    {
        Log.Logger = new LoggerConfiguration().MinimumLevel.Debug().CreateLogger();
        return new SerilogLoggerFactory();
    }
}

However, ensure you are using the correct generic setup class for your platform (e.g., `MvxWpfSetup` for WPF). If you encounter issues with generic setup classes, verify that you have the correct NuGet packages installed, such as MvvmCross.Platforms.Wpf**[2].

Step 4: Use Logging in Your Application

Once logging is configured, you can inject ILogger instances into your view models, services, or other classes. Here's how you might use it in a view model:

csharp
public class MyViewModel : MvxViewModel
{
    private readonly ILogger _logger;

    public MyViewModel(ILogger logger)
    {
        _logger = logger;
    }

    public void SomeMethod()
    {
        _logger.LogInformation("Hello, World!");
    }
}

This approach automatically scopes the logging to the specific view model, making it easier to filter logs.

Step 5: Additional Configuration

You can further configure logging by adding more providers or adjusting log levels. For example, you might want to add console logging or configure the minimum log level in your appsettings.json file.

Conclusion

Implementing Microsoft.Extensions.Logging in MvvmCross 8 provides a flexible and robust logging solution. By following these steps, you can integrate advanced logging capabilities into your cross-platform applications.