Virtualizing Observable Collection

[huynhsontung]

In an article about ListView and GridView performance, Microsoft outlined two methods of data virtualization: incremental data virtualization and random access data virtualization.

We have had support for the former with IncrementalLoadingCollection but not much for the latter. Random virtualization would allow us to have a collection count independent of the actual loaded items in the collection. For example, a ListView with thousands of items needs to display the scrollbar appropriately. The ListView can be populated with placeholders without having to load all items until they are brought into view.

I am aware that you can achieve the same result with some abstraction for the item and listening for the UI events. But maybe it's still worth streamlining the process?

Related resources:
dotnet/runtime#17969 (closed due to inaction)
anagram4wander/VirtualizingObservableCollection (no longer maintained and has no license)