What is the best approach to assign Data Context using MVVM?

Question

I was looking for best approach to set data context property. I found three ways

1. Assign data context on View (either on XAML or code behind).

2. As

Answer 1

the 4. way would be a DataTemplate.

i think the best approach is the one which fits best in your current situation.

if i have viewmodel first dynamic scenarios i use datatemplate/contentpresenter or with view first i take your way one and so on...

Answer 2

I personally like this approach because it makes me have to write less code :). It basically uses an IValueConverter to lookup which view to use whenever a wpf control needs to present a ViewModel visually and the IValueConverter sets the datacontext for you. It also shows you how to create a datatemplate that allows you to require WPF to utilize this converter by default, something like this:

<DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type ViewModels:ViewModelBase}">
    <ContentControl Content="{Binding Converter={StaticResource MyConverter}}"/>
</DataTemplate>