Configuration

Configuration can be used without any other Shiny module. It does not require the base Shiny hooks in order to function.

Features

All the power of IConfiguration
Load JSON from packaged sources (whitelabellers can unpack, edit, & repack the config)
Preferences based configuration source with writebacks
HTTP remote configuration with local caching
Environment variable based file name lookups (ie. appsettings.apple.debug.json)

The Problem

Microsoft really did create a great set of abstractions for configuration. You can store a set of key/values, cause a reload when a configuration source changes, & bind to strongly typed objects using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration.Binder. On Mobile though, NONE of the current providers work really well.

Why?

A big feature for IConfiguration, is the ability to trigger a reload of its source without restarting the application. Changing an appsettings.json file during runtime causes the IConfiguration to trigger a reload notification.
Mobile doesn’t really have an appsettings.json. Sure you could put this in an embedded resource, but then it is readonly at all times other than the build process… after that - it is locked in place.
Essentially, IConfiguration becomes a string based dictionary for all intents and purposes - pretty useless considering.

The Solution

How Shiny.Extensions.Configuration brings the power of IConfiguration to Mobile!

A platform preferences configuration source which allows you to WRITE a value back using IConfiguration[key] = value
A whitelabellers dream - the ability to unpack, change a json config file, and repack without triggering a build by using proper platform directories to load up the JSON files while still having the power of a proper configuration library internally.
Fetch configuration from a remote HTTP server with local caching and reactive updates.

Setup

var config = new ConfigurationBuilder()
    .AddJsonPlatformBundle()
    .AddPlatformPreferences()
    .Build();

Or with MAUI:

builder.Configuration
    .AddJsonPlatformBundle()
    .AddPlatformPreferences();

Providers

Provider	Description
JSON Platform Bundle	Load JSON config files from platform-specific bundled locations
Platform Preferences	Read/write configuration backed by platform preferences
Remote Configuration	Fetch configuration from a remote HTTP server