What MVVM framework are you using?

Question

I am looking to write a WPF app and am trying to pick a MVVM framework to handle some of the complexity. What would you recommend and where can I find a good tutorial/getting started guide for said framework?

Answer 1

I have had success with the Composite Application Guidance for WPF and Silverlight framework, also known as "Prism". It is available, as open-source, at http://compositewpf.codeplex.com/.

I learned the basics by following along to the information in four videos describing the construction of a Prism-based application:

1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. Part 4

Good luck!

Answer 2

Here's a bunch of links to MVVM frameworks:

• Cinch
• MVVM Foundation
• MVVM Helpers
• MVVM Onyx

Answer 3

There is also

• MVVM light toolkit for WPF and Silverlight by Laurent Bugnion
• WPF Model-View-ViewModel Toolkit - Microsoft's answer.
• Caliburn - Caliburn implements a variety of UI patterns for solving real-world problems. Patterns that are enabled by the framework include MVC, MVP, Presentation Model (MVVM), Commands and Application Controller.
• Silverlight.FX - Silverlight.FX is a light-weight application framework for building Rich Internet Applications with Silverlight 2.

Answer 4

Yet another framework with support for the Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) pattern:

WPF Application Framework (WAF)

http://waf.codeplex.com

Answer 5

I needed Extensibility (the ability to write add-ins for my application) in addition to WPF/MVVM, so I pieced together my own framework and released it as open source:

• SoapBox Core (includes a demo application)
• Documentation and Tutorials

Answer 6

Have not used any of them personally, but there is a roundup of a few frameworks here:

http://www.japf.fr/2009/10/a-quick-tour-of-existing-mvvm-frameworks/

Answer 7

For WPF, my best bet is WPF MVVM Tookit at wpf.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=WPF%20Model-View-ViewModel%20Toolkit.

If you ever need one for Silverlight (which complies with the standards introduced in WPF MVVM such as the DelegateCommand and CommandReference), check out http://intersoftpt.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/clientui-part-3-comprehensive-mvvm-framework-for-silverlight-development/

Answer 8

There is also Vidyano which uses MVVM as architecture.