WPF - How to bind generic method in XAML? - wpf

Question

I have a class with a static method that returns a Dictionary. The signature of the method is as follows:
public static Dictionary<int, string> CodeLookup<T>() where T : EntityCodeBase
At the moment, I'm using this method to bind to my comboboxes in the code behind, like so:
this.cboState.ItemsSource = CodeCache.CodeLookup<StateCode>();
Would someone please be able to point me in the correct direction for doing this in XAML so that I can remove this kind of stuff from my codebehind?
Thanks,
Sonny

Answer 1

Not directly binding to a particular method. You should create a property and bound that to it.
public Dictionary<int, string> Code {
get { return CodeCache.CodeLookup<StateCode>(); }
}

Answer 2

looks like you cannot do it for generic methods
more info

Answer 3

Here is a property in my viewModel:
public ObservableCollection<Contact> AllContacts
{
get { return _applicationViewModel.CurrentContacts; }
}
And here is my XAML:
<ListView Margin="5" ItemsSource="{Binding Path=AllContacts}">
<ListView.View>
<GridView>
<GridViewColumn Header="Last Name" DisplayMemberBinding="{Binding Path=LastName}" />
<GridViewColumn Header="First Name" DisplayMemberBinding="{Binding Path=FirstName}" />
<GridViewColumn Header="Work Phone" DisplayMemberBinding="{Binding Path=OfficePhone, Converter={StaticResource phoneConverter}}" />
<GridViewColumn Header="Cell Phone" DisplayMemberBinding="{Binding Path=CellPhone, Converter={StaticResource phoneConverter}}" />
<GridViewColumn Header="Email Address" DisplayMemberBinding="{Binding Path=PrimaryEmail}" />
</GridView>
</ListView.View>
</ListView>
Just set the DataContext to the ViewModel and you get everything you need. Check out MVVM pattern for more info.
There are ways to bind to a static method but if all you are doing is basic databinding then it's a bit of overkill. Take a look at Actions if you are interested.