How do I integrate NLog with MvvmCross using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging

Step 1: Install Required NuGet Packages

First, you need to install the necessary NuGet packages in your project. You will need `NLog.Extensions.Logging` and `NLog`. If your project is an ASP.NET Core application, consider using `NLog.Web.AspNetCore` instead.

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

Step 2: Configure NLog

You need to configure NLog to work with your application. This typically involves creating an `nlog.config` file or configuring it through `appsettings.json` if you prefer to manage configurations in a single place.

Using `nlog.config`:

Create an `nlog.config` file in the root of your project and configure your targets and rules. Here's a simple example:

xml



  
    
  

  
    
  

Using `appsettings.json`:

If you prefer to manage your NLog configuration through `appsettings.json`, you can do so by adding the following configuration:

json
{
  "NLog": {
    "targets": {
      "f": {
        "type": "FileTarget",
        "fileName": "${basedir}/logs/${shortdate}.log"
      }
    },
    "rules": [
      {
        "logger": "*",
        "minLevel": "Info",
        "writeTo": "f"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Step 3: Integrate NLog with Microsoft.Extensions.Logging

In your MvvmCross setup, you need to configure the logging infrastructure to use NLog. This involves implementing `ILoggerProvider` and `ILoggerFactory` interfaces or simply using the `AddNLog` method provided by `NLog.Extensions.Logging`.

Here's how you can do it in your `MvxSetup` class:

csharp
using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;
using NLog.Extensions.Logging;

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

        // Register NLog as the logging provider
        var services = new ServiceCollection();
        services.AddLogging(loggingBuilder => loggingBuilder.ClearProviders().AddNLog());
        var serviceProvider = services.BuildServiceProvider();

        // You can now inject ILogger into your classes
    }
}

However, for MvvmCross, you typically need to provide implementations for `ILoggerProvider` and `ILoggerFactory`. Here's a more detailed approach:

1. Implement `ILoggerProvider` and `ILoggerFactory`:**

You can create a custom provider that wraps NLog's functionality. However, since `NLog.Extensions.Logging` already provides an integration with Microsoft.Extensions.Logging, you can use it directly.

2. Register NLog in MvvmCross IoC:**

Instead of manually implementing providers, you can leverage the existing integration by registering NLog through the MvvmCross IoC container.

csharp
   protected override void InitializeFirstChance()
   {
       base.InitializeFirstChance();

       // Register NLog as the logging provider
       var services = new ServiceCollection();
       services.AddLogging(loggingBuilder => loggingBuilder.ClearProviders().AddNLog());
       var serviceProvider = services.BuildServiceProvider();

       // Register the logger factory with MvvmCross IoC
       Mvx.RegisterSingleton(serviceProvider.GetService());
   }
   

Step 4: Use Logging in Your Application

Now that NLog is integrated with MvvmCross using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging, you can inject `ILogger` into your view models or services and use it for logging.

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

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

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

This setup allows you to leverage the powerful features of NLog, such as structured logging and multiple targets, within your MvvmCross application.