Proposal: Simplify Grid Column and Row Definitions

[dotMorten]

Summary

WinUI is adding a simplified syntax to setting column and row definitions on Grid. WPF should add this too.

Current syntax

<Grid>
    <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
          <ColumnDefinition Width="1*" />
          <ColumnDefinition Width="2*" />
          <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto" />
          <ColumnDefinition Width="*" />
          <ColumnDefinition Width="300" />
    </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
    <Grid.RowDefinitions>
          <RowDefinition Height="1*" />
          <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
          <RowDefinition Height="25" />
          <RowDefinition Height= "14" />
          <RowDefinition Height="20" />
    </Grid.RowDefinitions>
</Grid>

Proposed Syntax

The same functionality as above with the proposed succinct syntax is shown below:

<Grid ColumnDefinitions="1*, 2*, Auto, *, 300" RowDefinitions="1*, Auto, 25, 14, 20"/>
</Grid>

Full spec described here: microsoft/microsoft-ui-xaml#673 (design is currently being finalized)

API Changes

Follow the same specification implemented by WinUI (probably no new APIs, unless it needs a new type-converter)

Intended Use Case

Developer productivity

[Symbai]

How is that different to #166 ?

[thomasclaudiushuber]

@Symbai I think it is actually the same as #166. But while #166 was more an idea and a discussion (@stevenbrix please correct me if I'm wrong) this is now a proper proposal to align the WPF Grid with the WinUI Grid. :)

But I agree, I think we can close issue #166.

[stevenbrix]

@thomasclaudiushuber these are the same! I didn't see all the discussion on the other issue (oops!). I agree I'll go ahead and close it out.

[dotMorten]

Sorry I forgot about that issue. I couldn't even remember all those comments I made 😃. I even pointed out issues that the WinUI recently pointed out too which had surprised me, not realizing I had already found the same limitations months ago 🤦‍♂️

[omariom]

🤔

<Grid Columns="1*, 2*, Auto, *, 300" Rows="1*, Auto, 25, 14, 20"/>

No need to change the language.
It will be forbidden to define Columns and ColumDefintions on the same grid.

[weltkante]

@omariom the syntax in the issue description doesn't require a language change, it just needs adding a TypeConverter. That is the most simple extension possible. Also keep in mind that one of the goals is to keep the grid syntax for WPF and WinUI in sync, so the major discussion is probably over on the WinUI issue (their git repo is much more active in discussion than the WPF one)