DevExpress WPF: Server-side Data Management and MVVM Extensions

DevExpress.Wpf.Core.Extensions includes the following extensions for DevExpress WPF Controls:

• XAML-declarable data sources that allow DevExpress controls to use Server Mode and Instant Feedback data access. In these data access modes, the server performs operations such as sorting, filtering, grouping, and summarizing records. The client loads records in small batches on demand. Your application stays responsive regardless of the data source size.
• Module Injection Framework (MIF) for modular MVVM applications.

This package is installed as a transitive dependency of DevExpress.Wpf. Reference it explicitly when you need to use the capabilities listed above.

dotnet add package DevExpress.Wpf.Core.Extensions

Key Features

• XPO data-source wrappers — XPCollectionDataSource, XPServerCollectionDataSource, XPInstantFeedbackDataSource, and XPViewDataSource are XAML-declarable wrappers that bind DevExpress controls to eXpress Persistent Objects in regular, server, and asynchronous instant feedback modes.
• Virtual data-source wrappers — the VirtualDataSource and VirtualSource wrappers let you supply rows on demand from any backing store by handling events, without implementing a data-access layer.
• WCF RIA Services support — the RiaSimpleDataSource and RiaInstantFeedbackSource wrappers bind controls to RIA domain services.
• Excel data binding — ExcelItemsSource binds a control directly to a worksheet in an Excel workbook.
• Module Injection Framework (MIF) — MvvmRoot, ModulesManager, and ViewsManager support view and view-model registration, screen navigation, and state management in modular MVVM applications.

Examples

Example 1: Bind a Data Control to an XPO Server Mode Data Source

This example requires the DevExpress.Wpf.Grid package.

<Window
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:dx="http://schemas.devexpress.com/winfx/2008/xaml/core"
    xmlns:dxg="http://schemas.devexpress.com/winfx/2008/xaml/grid">

    <Window.Resources>
        <!-- Loads records in batches and sorts/filters data on the server. -->

        <dx:XPServerCollectionDataSource
            x:Key="ordersSource"
            ObjectType="{x:Type local:Order}" />
    </Window.Resources>

    <dxg:GridControl ItemsSource="{Binding Source={StaticResource ordersSource}}">
        <dxg:GridControl.View>
            <dxg:TableView />
        </dxg:GridControl.View>
    </dxg:GridControl>
</Window>

The grid displays the first batch of records immediately and fetches more as the user scrolls. When the control sorts or filters data, it generates server-side queries instead of loading all records.

Example 2: Supply Rows on Demand from a Virtual Data Source

using DevExpress.Xpf.Core.DataSources;

var source = new VirtualDataSource();

// Raised once per column. Index identifies the column being described.
source.PropertyNeeded += (s, e) => {
    e.ProperyName = e.Index == 0 ? "Id" : "Name";
    e.PropertyType = e.Index == 0 ? typeof(int) : typeof(string);
};

// Raised only for the cells that are actually rendered.
source.ValueNeeded += (s, e) => {
    e.Value = e.ColumnIndex == 0 ? (object)e.RowIndex : $"Row {e.RowIndex}";
};

// Declares a two-column virtual table with one million rows.
source.PropertiesCount = 2;
source.RowsCount = 1_000_000;

Bind a control to source.Data. The control never loads all data. It requests values only for the cells currently in view. This approach keeps memory usage independent of the total number of rows in the data source.

Evaluation Period, Pricing Options, and Licensing Terms

Whether you own a license or want to start a 30-day evaluation period, download and register your DevExpress license key. To obtain your key, log in to the DevExpress Download Manager. Use your existing DevExpress.com account or create a new account for free. For key registration instructions, see License Key for DevExpress Products.

If you purchase a license after evaluating a product, re-register your updated DevExpress license key to remove evaluation version warnings/messages.

This package is included in the following commercial subscriptions:

• DevExpress WPF Subscription
• DevExpress DXperience Subscription
• DevExpress Universal Subscription

See DevExpress Subscriptions & Licensing for subscription comparison tables, purchasing FAQ, and licensing information.

Related Components/Packages

DevExpress.Wpf.Core - Core library and theme engine shared by all DevExpress WPF controls.

dotnet add package DevExpress.Wpf.Core

DevExpress.Wpf.Grid - DevExpress WPF Data Grid and Tree List controls.

dotnet add package DevExpress.Wpf.Grid

DevExpress.Xpo - DevExpress ORM Library (eXpress Persistent Objects).

dotnet add package DevExpress.Xpo

Demos

NOTE: Demo links below only work if you already have DevExpress WPF Demos installed on your machine. To install demos, download and run the DevExpress Unified Installer (evaluation or licensed version). Remember to select "Demo Applications" on the product selection screen.

• DevExpress WPF Data Grid - Large Data Source
• DevExpress WPF Data Grid - Infinite Scrolling Source

Documentation

• Server Data and Large Data Sources
• Server Mode
• Module Injection Framework (MIF)
• DevExpress WPF Controls

Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)

To access SBOM files for DevExpress packages, please refer to the following article: Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for DevExpress .NET assemblies/NuGet packages, JavaScript, VCL and other redistributable artifacts.

See Also: Information Security | Security - What You Need to Know

Useful Online Resources

• www.devexpress.com
• DevExpress Support Center
• DevExpress Blogs