How much does the Windows Community MVVM Toolkit REALLY help us?

Step-by-step tutorial on using the Windows Community MVVM Toolkit for your .NET MVVM application:

1. Identify the Need for MVVM Essentials:

   • If you are building a .NET MVVM application to solve a particular problem or create your dream app, consider the need for MVVM Essentials to streamline your development process.

2. Add MVVM Essentials to Your Project:

   • Create a base model that implements INotifyPropertyChanged.
   • Implement a base command that follows the ICommand interface.
   • Set up navigation infrastructure for seamless page switching within your application.

3. Recognize the Boilerplate Code Issue:

   • Writing boilerplate code can be time-consuming and distracts from focusing on building your application and solving problems efficiently.

4. Introducing the Windows Community MVVM Toolkit:

   • The toolkit eliminates the need to write repetitive boilerplate code and allows you to concentrate on developing your application.

5. Key Features of the Windows Community MVVM Toolkit:

   • Offers an ObservableObject that implements INotifyPropertyChanged for easy property change notifications.
   • Provides a RelayCommand and AsyncRelayCommand implementation for executing commands with callbacks.
   • Includes messaging infrastructure for communication between components like view models.

6. Using Observable Recipient for Messaging:

   • Inherit from ObservableRecipient to override lifecycle methods for efficient messaging handling and subscription cleanup.

7. Utilizing Observable Validator for Data Validation:

   • Extend ObservableObject with ObservableValidator for implementing INotifyDataErrorInfo and handling data validation efficiently.

8. Leveraging Validation Attributes:

   • Apply validation attributes to properties for declarative validation instead of writing validation logic in setters.

9. Exploring Helpful Attributes:

   • Use the ObservableProperty attribute to convert fields into properties that raise property change notifications, reducing boilerplate code.
   • Employ the RelayCommand attribute to turn functions into relay commands for easy binding to UI elements.

10. Addressing Concerns and Considerations:

    • Customize base models for cleanup using IDisposable or rely on ObservableRecipient for cleanup.
    • Evaluate the use of RelayCommand versus class commands for command logic organization.
    • Consider delegating command logic to services and marking functions with attributes for improved code organization.

11. Understanding the Role of Messengers:

    • Messengers facilitate communication between components and can be leveraged for state management solutions.

12. Testing the Toolkit in Your Application:

    • Experiment with the Windows Community MVVM Toolkit in your .NET MVVM application to streamline development and focus on your app's core functionality.

13. Recommendation and Conclusion:

    • Try out the toolkit to eliminate writing MVVM boilerplate code and enhance your application development experience.

By following these steps, you can effectively integrate the Windows Community MVVM Toolkit into your .NET MVVM application and improve your development workflow.