NeuChat

Overview

This presentation application demonstrates core fundementals of Xamarin Forms development. It combines Azure Mobile Services, SignalR, Xamarin Forms Multi-Client Native and MVVM solution architecture.

The presentation is designed to give a practical hands on tutorial to learn far beyond a Hello, World and gain deeper understanding of "how" to accomplish common application solutions.

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Module Steps

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1] Create new Azure Mobile Services Project

• .NET Backend through Azure Portal
• Download starter serverside project

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2] Add/Update additional NUGET packages

• WindowsAzure.MobileServices.Backend
• WindowsAzure.MobileServices.Backend.Tables
• WindowsAzure.MobileServices.Backend.Entities
• WindowsAzure.MobileServices.Backend.SignalR

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3] Remove template generated objects

• DataObjects.TodoItem
• DbSet in neuContext
• TodoItemController
• Seed initializer for sample TodoItem models

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4] Add SignalR basics to backend

• WebApiConfig changes
• Create a hub
• Publish to Azure (from step 1)

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5] Create Xamarin Forms PCL project

• Update Solution NUGET packages for updated Forms and Platform packages

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6] Add MVVM Light for Solution Architecture

• Add ViewModelLocator
• Add Bootstrappers to each platform
• Add draft main UI page in XAML

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7] Initial Databinding and local messaging

• Pub/Sub with MessagingCenter
• Databind ListView -> ObservableCollection
• ListView DataTemplate ViewCell
• RelayCommand implementation

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8] Adding Azure Mobile Services

• Add Xamarin Components per platform
• Initialize azure mobile services per platform

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9] Adding Google Login and Logout

• Create Google API Console project (web app)
• Create OAUTH for Google project
• Configure Azure Mobile Service Identity provider
• Implement platform injection for Login and Logout
• Adding Login application logic
• Platform weirdness
• Adding Logout application logic
• Azure and Cookie platform injection

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10.a] Updating Azure SignalR backend

• Updating the hub implementation
• Adding Authorization
• Publish new AMS backend

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10.b] Updating mobile clients to connect to SignalR

• Add SignalR components/nuget (for winphone and shared pcl)
• Add hub connection service
• Add hub initialization to OnAppearing for main view

11] Adding some flair

• Add app icon (Android and WP)
• Add a better looking and handling login page

12] The personal touch

• Add backend support for Google Oauth call for userinfo scope
• Add backend custom api service
• Add user info consumer to client using Mobile Service Invoke API
• Add user name and picture to chat screen