How do I configure NLog with Microsoft.Extensions.Logging in MvvmCross

Step 1: Install Required NuGet Packages

First, you need to install the necessary NuGet packages in your project. These include `Microsoft.Extensions.Logging`, `NLog`, and `NLog.Extensions.Logging`. You can do this using the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio or by running the following commands in the Package Manager Console:

bash
Install-Package Microsoft.Extensions.Logging
Install-Package NLog
Install-Package NLog.Extensions.Logging

Alternatively, if you're using .NET CLI:

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

Step 2: Configure NLog

Next, you need to configure NLog. This can be done either programmatically or via a configuration file (`nlog.config`). For most cases, using a configuration file is more convenient.

1. Create an `nlog.config` file: In the root of your application, create a new file named `nlog.config`. This file will define the logging targets and rules.

2. Set the `nlog.config` file properties: Right-click the `nlog.config` file in Solution Explorer, select Properties, and set the Copy to Output Directory property to Copy always.

Here's an example of what the `nlog.config` file might look like:

xml



  
    

    
  

  
    
    
  

This configuration sets up two targets: one for logging to a file and another for logging to the console.

Step 3: Integrate NLog with Microsoft.Extensions.Logging

To integrate NLog with Microsoft.Extensions.Logging, you need to add NLog as a logging provider in your application's setup.

In MvvmCross, you typically configure logging in the `MvxSetup` class. However, since MvvmCross 8 uses Microsoft.Extensions.Logging, you will need to configure it using the `ILoggerProvider` and `ILoggerFactory` interfaces.

Here's how you can add NLog as a logging provider:

csharp
public class Setup : MvxSetup
{
    protected override void InitializeFirstChance()
    {
        base.InitializeFirstChance();

        // Clear existing providers if needed
        var serviceProvider = new ServiceCollection().BuildServiceProvider();
        var loggerFactory = serviceProvider.GetService();
        loggerFactory?.ClearProviders();

        // Add NLog as a provider
        var builder = new HostBuilder();
        builder.ConfigureLogging(logging =>
        {
            logging.ClearProviders();
            logging.AddNLog();
        });
    }
}

However, the above code snippet is more relevant to .NET Core applications. For MvvmCross, you might need to adapt this logic to fit into the MvvmCross IoC setup.

Step 4: Use Logging in Your Application

Once NLog is configured and integrated with Microsoft.Extensions.Logging, you can use it in your MvvmCross application by injecting `ILogger` into your classes. Here's an example:

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

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

    public void SomeMethod()
    {
        _logger.Log(LogLevel.Trace, "Hello, World");
    }
}

This setup allows you to use NLog with Microsoft.Extensions.Logging in your MvvmCross application, providing a flexible and powerful logging solution.