When considering iOS or Android app upgrades, most of us think of Objective-C vs Swift, and Java first of all. Considered a native technology, they are naturally the most widely used mobile development tools when it comes to iOS and Android app development. However, there are many ways to build functional and easy-to-use mobile applications. And the Xamarin app development tool is one of them. In this article, we do an in-depth review of Xamarin and compare it with traditional mobile development solutions and different market solutions. If you know the basics, consider skipping your favorite sections.
What Is Xamarin?
It is impossible to ignore Xamarin when talking about important ways to improve mobile applications. Xamarin is a tool used for the development of various mobile applications that allow developers to share up to 90 percent of code across all major platforms. As a relatively new tool, it is based on the Microsoft technology stack and already has a community of over 1.4 million developers.
The platform was built by developers behind Mono, an open-source development platform based on the .NET Framework, led by Miguel de Icaza and first launched in 2001.
Xamarin became a popular cross-platform product for developing mobile applications within the Microsoft ecosystem. This discovery violates the financial limit of using Xamarin. As Microsoft made the Xamarin SDK open source, it became part of the Xamarin Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment (we discuss the best IDEs you can use for Xamarin application development below).
Pros of Using Xamarin for Development
There are good explanations for why Xamarin is used by numerous organizations, including Trello, Slack, and GitHub.
One Technology Stack to Code for All Platforms
Xamarin uses a compliant C # framework. The network to create applications for any mobile platform. Therefore, you can share an average of 80-90 percent of code across all platforms accelerating the developing cycle. Xamarin also does not require switching between development areas: You can create all of your Xamarin applications in Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code. Cross-platform development tools are offered as an integral part of IDE at no additional cost.
Performance Close to Native
Unlike traditional hybrid solutions based on web technology, the Xamarin platform application can still be classified as traditional. As the forum progresses, Xamarin’s performance is updated regularly to fully comply with indigenous development standards, Microsoft has provided advice on development strategies. Visual Studio also offers a complete solution for building, testing, and tracking application performance: Visual Studio Application Center lets you perform automatic UI testing and diagnose problems before they are released. However, this service is provided at an additional cost.
Previously, we tested and compared the effectiveness of Xamarin with native applications. The effects may be old in some ways; however, they clearly show a decent level of performance of Xamarin applications.
Native User Experiences
Xamarin allows you to create seamless self-expression using field-specific UI components. It is also possible to build cross-platform applications for iOS, Android, or Windows using Xamarin. A form tool, which converts the UI components of an application into specific field-specific interaction features. As with the use of Xamarin.The forms greatly increase the speed of application development, it is a good choice for business-focused projects. However, there may be a slight decrease in performance due to the extra layer. With the custom UI of the app and high performance, you can still use Xamarin.iOS, and Xamarin. Android separately to ensure the best results.
Traditionally, Xamarin is not believed to be the best choice for apps with complex graphics. That being said, there are several libraries like OpenGL ES and frameworks like SkiaSharp and Urho that make applications for apps with a rich custom UI, complex animation, or games with Xamarin.
Full Hardware Support
With Xamarin, your solution gets the functionality of a traditional-level application. Eliminates all computer hardware problems, using specific plugins and APIs, working with standard devices across all platforms. As well as access to platform-specific APIs, Xamarin supports linking native libraries. This allows for better customization and traditional functionality with a small overhead.
Open Source Technology with Strong Corporate Support
After the company was acquired by Microsoft in February 2016, Xamarin licensing policies made major changes. The Xamarin SDK, which includes working time, libraries, and command-line tools, has become an open-source and is available to all MIT licensees as part of Visual Studio. By removing the huge barrier, and the cost of licenses, Microsoft paved the way for the continued growth of the platform. Also, owned by Microsoft, and supported by Unity, JetBrains, and Red Hat, the .NET Foundation in general and Xamarin have become a reliable and powerful technology stack.
Simplified Maintenance
Thanks to its cross-platform application, Xamarin makes editing and updating easier. You can simply apply the changes or updates to the source file and it will be applied to both iOS and Android apps. Thus, it helps you to save time and money while keeping your apps up to date.
Complete Development Ecosystem
Xamarin comes with a single package containing a complete set of development tools, including its IDE. In April 2018, many Xamarin development tools previously known as separate features became part of the Visual Studio App Center. Included the forum itself (Xamarin SDKs), testing (formerly Xamarin Test Cloud), distribution and analysis platforms (formerly called Xamarin. Insights), and much more. As the tool kit remains free, you do not need to invest in additional tools or integrate third-party applications to build, test, and run your Xamarin apps.
Xamarin.Forms: a framework for creating native UI layouts
Xamarin suggests that developers build mobile applications in two ways. The first to use Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin.Android, which appeared earlier and was initially considered very powerful. Using Xamarin. Forms are the second method. A more advanced version that allows faster prototyping or productive applications with a specific field function. That is why Xamarin. Many forms are better for applications where code sharing is more important than custom UI. It will allow you to reuse 99% of the code, which means you will be able to create one visual interface and share it in all forums without designing each forum individually. You can also create applications where other parts of the user interface are made with Xamarin. Forms and more are done using the native UI toolkit.
As Xamarin. Forms developed over the years became a global tool and gained a healthy community that cared for them. For example, some technology providers offer their libraries such as Telerik UI which provides developing capabilities that provide pre-configured UI components.
Xamarin.Forms XAML Hot Reload
As Xamarin. For forms designed for quick and easy development, Microsoft recommends using the XAML Hot Reload tool. It speeds up development by allowing you to change XAML during debugging and quickly see those changes in the operating system, without having to stop and rebuild. In addition, your navigation status and data will be saved, so you can quickly replicate it in your UI. In this way, Hot XAML Relocation allows faster and faster refresh of your apps to ensure UI changes.
Building apps for Macs with Xamarin.Mac Tool
Xamarin.Mac lets you upgrade to native Mac applications using C # once. NET. Includes the same libraries used for development in Objective-C and Xcode. Using Xamarin.Mac integrated with Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin. For Android, developers can share up to 90 percent of the native code across Android, iOS, and Mac OS. In addition, Xamarin. Mac integrates with Xcode, so the developer can use Xcode’s Interface Builder to create a user application.
Xamarin Learning Resources
Microsoft Learn is an online tutorial site that helps people develop technical skills related to Microsoft products, including Xamarin. This forum provides lessons for both beginners and experienced developers, allowing students to prepare for Microsoft Certificates. Educational resources include free self-study, live online classes, office lectures, and guest lectures.
Xamarin supports TVs, wearables, and IoT
Xamarin Framework, thanks to its Xamarin.Forms, allows you to create portable versions of multiple platforms. In addition to iOS, Android, Windows Phones, and Mac, you can upgrade Tizen apps – the operating system used on other Samsung devices – on smartphones, TVs, and IoT. Besides, Xamarin.iOS allows you to build applications for Apple tv and watchOS.
Piece of Advice
Compared with the good and the bad, the barriers listed are often considered catastrophic damage. Most business owners opt for the Xamarin mobile app development company as it reduces marketing time and developing costs, by sharing code and using a single technology stack. But the purpose of the app and its target audience may be the most important thing to consider.
Based on our team experience, the best place to use Xamarin are mobile business solutions. With a standard UI covering 90 percent of projects, the entire product concept can be easily shared across all forums. Therefore, customizing the platform will only take 5-10 percent of the developing effort.
In the case of consumer-facing applications with a heavy UI, the value of shared code decreases significantly. Therefore, the development of Xamarin-cross-platform loses significant gains and may be associated with the time and cost of traditional solutions.