C#•3mo ago

Avalonia Beginner

should I design my app in MainWindow.axaml or MainView.axaml?

36 Replies

The document tells me to put my stuff in MainWindow but I recieve errors doing that.

SpReeD•3mo ago

Take a look at the App.axaml.cs:

if (ApplicationLifetime is IClassicDesktopStyleApplicationLifetime desktop)
{
    desktop.MainWindow = new MainWindow
    {
        DataContext = new MainViewModel()
    };
}
else if (ApplicationLifetime is ISingleViewApplicationLifetime singleViewPlatform)
{
    singleViewPlatform.MainView = new MainView
    {
        DataContext = new MainViewModel()
    };
}

if (ApplicationLifetime is IClassicDesktopStyleApplicationLifetime desktop)
{
    desktop.MainWindow = new MainWindow
    {
        DataContext = new MainViewModel()
    };
}
else if (ApplicationLifetime is ISingleViewApplicationLifetime singleViewPlatform)
{
    singleViewPlatform.MainView = new MainView
    {
        DataContext = new MainViewModel()
    };
}

It should be clear what Window is used for. Maybe you start without avalonia targeting everything and concentrate on desktop dev first. It should be way easier for a beginner.

naber top•3mo ago

What should I use WPF? Oh I see your point

SpReeD•3mo ago

WPF is for Windows only

naber top•3mo ago

So I can stick with avalonia? But only focus on desktop?

SpReeD•3mo ago

Yes, depending on your goal - but for test purposes and would suggest using MVVM App targeting desktop dev, without browser/web assembly and mobile Since you mentioned WPF which is strongly bound to the MVVM pattern.

naber top•3mo ago

I should proceed with WPF then switch to Avalonia?

SpReeD•3mo ago

Are familiar with the MVVM pattern?

naber top•3mo ago

Not at all.

SpReeD•3mo ago

Are you familiar with MVC or MVP?

naber top•3mo ago

No I am not familiar with any type of model patterns

SpReeD•3mo ago

Do you wanna make a GUI program to run on windows?

naber top•3mo ago

Yes

SpReeD•3mo ago

Start with WinForms, it's event-driven and definitely easier to work and understand than WPF, Avalonia, Xamarin, Maui, etc.

naber top•3mo ago

I got roasted using WinForms cause I asked a question which requires a MVVM approach Then they told me to learn WPF I am familiar with the xaml but not MVVM

SpReeD•3mo ago

WinForms can be used with the MVVM pattern, somehow, but it's not designed to do so; WPF was designed to use it. So, for beginners, I strongly recommend starting with something that doesn't need to be build in a strict pattern. A WinForms application isn't outdated or anything, WinForms is a good, quick and still up-to-date way to design applications which concentrates on delivering results and not having fancy stylings and animations, etc.

naber top•3mo ago

So why WinForms make it easier for me to learn MVVM if it isn't going to force me to use it or designed for it?

SpReeD•3mo ago

It doesn't, it will make it easier for you to eventually have a working application

naber top•3mo ago

I am somewhat experienced with WinForms but the app I am trying to make needs to use MVVM I guess

SpReeD•3mo ago

Once you get familiar with OOP and everything related, like encapsulation, you start to learn a design-pattern, like MVVM. But the basic for any design-pattern is working in OOP rules.

naber top•3mo ago

Oh thats good advice So how can I practice my OOP usage

SpReeD•3mo ago

Why do you think it needs MVVM? - It's just a design-pattern and won't make any difference on the result of that application.

naber top•3mo ago

My application has a main window and a bunch of popup windows that has their own pages, own functions which mangles with the main windows properties, since I don't know MVVM it's not my thought I asked here and they told me to go this path.

SpReeD•3mo ago

Just my 2 cents here, make it work first, refactor later. A design-pattern is something you learn later on; first you need to get the hang of OOP. Of what you describe, WinForms is totally capable of doing so.

Kouhai•3mo ago

I would strongly advise against using Winforms if you're not forced to use it, Avalonia is much better

naber top•3mo ago

Yeah I understand your point but how do I get the hang of OOP, the apps I coded to practice my c# knowledge didn't require OOP is Avalonia harder than WPF?

Kouhai•3mo ago

Not at all

naber top•3mo ago

But just like Spreed said I don't know OOP well and Avalonia has a MVVM structure

SpReeD•3mo ago

It is, it is for someone without any knowledge of object-oriented programming ...

Kouhai•3mo ago

In that case I would avoid GUI applications and just build console apps, GUI adds another layer of complexity that makes it harder to learn core concepts. Well, you'd usually use MVVM with WPF as well 😅

naber top•3mo ago

At which point should I decide to go GUI

Kouhai•3mo ago

When you have a general understanding of core C# concepts, like inheritance, interfaces, Generics, LINQ You don't have to be an expert at all, but having an understanding of core concepts would make building GUI apps much easier

naber top•3mo ago

Well how do I get that understanding cause normally I try to create a project using my knowledge, even though I know a bit of OOP I couldn't think of a project I would use it,(or it gets too complicated for me) what should my approach be in this kind of situations?

Kouhai•3mo ago

Applying what you've learned by building projects is essential and you should keep doing that, but also reading official docs helps a lot of times. Now for how to approach that, if you have a project in mind, try to make it in a console application for now (because GUI adds a lot of complexity) For example if you're building a clinic app, usually you'd have a GUI, but in fact you can use a terminal UI as simple as

1. Add patient information
2. Modify patient information
3. View patient data
4. Delete patient data
5. Reports

1. Add patient information
2. Modify patient information
3. View patient data
4. Delete patient data
5. Reports

naber top•3mo ago

thanks

Kouhai•3mo ago

That doesn't mean you should keep building console apps, but until you personally feel comfortable about general concepts I would say console apps are better. And if you hit an obstacle you can always ask here in this server 👍

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