Define a collection inside XAML

Question

I want to create a Binding to a collection of strings defined inside XAML.

In WPF I could create an ArrayList as a resource with a key, ready to be used as the source of a Binding (using a StaticResource).

Is this possible in Xamarin Forms?

EDIT: I've tried with this XAML with the solution proposed by @Stephane Delcroix, but I'm getting an Unhandled Exception:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<ContentPage xmlns="http://xamarin.com/schemas/2014/forms"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib"
             x:Class="ReferenceApp.Views.GamesPage"
             Title="Games">


    <ContentPage.Resources>
        <x:Array Type="{x:Type sys:String}" x:Key="array">
            <x:String>Hello</x:String>
            <x:String>World</x:String>
        </x:Array>
    </ContentPage.Resources>
    <Grid />

</ContentPage>

However, the exception is not thrown if I remove the <x:Array >... </x:Array>

What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

I see that you are using the XF standard markup extensions. Your mistake seems to be in Type="{x:Type sys:String}", instead of sys:String you should write x:String which appears in the common xmlns:x

In this sample I fill a listview with strings

<ListView Margin="10">
    <ListView.ItemsSource>
        <x:Array Type="{x:Type x:String}">
            <x:String>Hello</x:String>
            <x:String>World</x:String>
        </x:Array>
    </ListView.ItemsSource>            
    <ListView.ItemTemplate>
        <DataTemplate>
            <ViewCell>
                <Label Text="{Binding}" />
            </ViewCell>
        </DataTemplate>
    </ListView.ItemTemplate>                
</ListView>

Answer 2

You can use the built-in x:Array

<x:Array Type="{x:Type sys:String}" x:Key="array">
    <x:String>Hello</x:String>
    <x:String>World</x:String>
</x:Array>

with sys defined as xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib"

or any collection you like, e.g. List

<scg:List x:TypeArguments="{x:Type sys:String}" x:Key="genericList">
    <x:String>Hello</x:String>
    <x:String>World</x:String>
</scg:List>

with sys defined as before, and scg being xmlns:scg="clr-namespace:System.Collections.Generic;assembly=mscorlib"