The `CreateBindingSet` method in MvvmCross is a crucial part of the framework's data binding system, particularly when using the Fluent Binding syntax. This method is used to establish a relationship between a View and its corresponding ViewModel, allowing for the creation of bindings in code rather than in XML, which is more typical in platforms like Android.
Purpose of CreateBindingSet
The primary purpose of `CreateBindingSet` is to create a set of bindings between the properties of a View and those of a ViewModel. This method returns a `MvxFluentBindingDescriptionSet` object, which can be used to define multiple bindings in a fluent manner.
How It Works
1. Defining the Binding Set: You start by calling `CreateBindingSet` on a class that implements `IMvxBindingContextOwner`, typically a view controller or activity. This method takes two generic parameters: the type of the View and the type of the ViewModel.
2. Specifying Bindings: Once you have the binding set, you can use the `Bind` method to specify which View property should be bound to which ViewModel property. This is done using lambda expressions for clarity and type safety.
3. Applying Bindings: After defining all the bindings, you must call the `Apply` method on the binding set to activate them. This ensures that the bindings are registered with MvvmCross's binding engine.
Example Usage
Here's an example of how to use `CreateBindingSet` in a Xamarin.iOS project:
csharp
public class MyViewController : MvxViewController
{
public override void ViewDidLoad()
{
base.ViewDidLoad();
var set = this.CreateBindingSet();
set.Bind(MyLabel).To(vm => vm.LabelText);
set.Bind(MyButton).To(vm => vm.ButtonCommand);
set.Apply();
}
}
In this example, `MyLabel` is bound to the `LabelText` property of the ViewModel, and `MyButton` is bound to the `ButtonCommand`.
Benefits
- Flexibility: Fluent bindings provide a flexible way to define bindings, especially useful in platforms like iOS where XML layouts are not used.
- Type Safety: The use of lambda expressions ensures type safety, reducing the risk of runtime errors due to incorrect property names.
- Readability: The fluent syntax can make the code more readable by clearly expressing the intent of the bindings.
Considerations
While using `CreateBindingSet` exclusively can tightly couple the View and ViewModel, it is a powerful tool for managing complex bindings in code. It is particularly useful in scenarios where dynamic or custom bindings are required, or when working with platforms that do not support XML-based layouts.
Citations:[1] https://blog.ostebaronen.dk/2018/01/mvvmcross-binding-target.html
[2] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/tutorials/tipcalc/a-xamarinios-ui-project
[3] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30146384/how-to-bind-mvxtableviewsource-to-dynamically-created-viewmodel-with-mvvmcross-a/30229955
[4] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/60311571/the-intended-purpose-of-mvvmcross-createbindingset
[5] https://github.com/MvvmCross/MvvmCross/issues/3951
[6] https://canbilgin.wordpress.com/tag/xamarin-ios/
[7] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/advanced/custom-data-binding
[8] https://github.com/MvvmCross/MvvmCross-Samples
[9] https://leaware.com/creating-cross-platform-xamarin-applications-using-the-mvvmcross-framework/
[10] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/fundamentals/data-binding