C# Source Generators in .NET MAUI

🔍 Introduction

C# Source Generators are a powerful Roslyn-based feature that allows developers to generate C# code at compile-time, reducing boilerplate, improving performance, and enabling advanced metaprogramming techniques. While they are widely used in libraries like Microsoft.Extensions  and AutoMapper , their application in .NET MAUI remains largely unexplored.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore:
✅ What Source Generators are and how they differ from reflection.
✅ Practical use cases in .NET MAUI (MVVM, XAML, performance optimizations).
✅ Step-by-step implementation of a custom Source Generator for MAUI.
✅ Benchmarks comparing generated code vs. traditional approaches.
By the end, you’ll have a production-ready example to integrate into your projects and a solid case study for your MVP contributions.

🚀 Why Use Source Generators in .NET MAUI?

1. Eliminate MVVM Boilerplate

Instead of writing repetitive INotifyPropertyChanged logic:

A Source Generator can auto-generate property notifications:

2. Optimize XAML Compilation

MAUI XAML files are compiled into BAML (Binary XAML). A Source Generator could:

• Pre-compile XAML bindings into strongly-typed C#.

• Detect binding errors at compile-time (instead of runtime).

3. Generate Platform-Specific Code

Example: Automatically implement dependency services for Android/iOS:

4. Improve Startup Performance

Source Generators remove reflection (e.g., Activator.CreateInstance()), which is critical for MAUI’s cold startup.

🛠️ Step-by-Step: Building a MAUI Source Generator

Step 1: Create the Generator Project

Step 2: Implement the Generator

Step 3: Consume the Generator in MAUI

1. Add the generator as a analyzer in your MAUI app:

2. Use it in a ViewModel:

📊 Benchmark: Generated vs Reflection-Based MVVM

✅ ~12x faster and zero allocations!

💡 Advanced Use Cases

1. XAML Binding Diagnostics

A generator could validate bindings at compile-time:

2. Generate Navigation Routes

Instead of:

A generator could create type-safe routes:

3. Automatic DI Registration

🚀 Conclusion

C# Source Generators unlock a new level of efficiency, performance, and maintainability in .NET MAUI development. By automating boilerplate, eliminating runtime reflection, and enabling compile-time validation, they solve critical pain points in mobile and cross-platform app development.