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).
What are the main features of Xamarin?
C # language. Xamarin uses one language, C #, to create applications for all mobile platforms. Unlike translated solutions, such as the Appcelerator Titanium, Xamarin is genetically developed, making it an option to build applications that work better with a native look and feel.
Based on the NET framework. C # is an adult language with strong secure typing that prevents code from unexpected behavior. Since C # is one of the languages of the .NET framework, it can be used with a few useful NET features such as Lambdas, LINQ, and an Asynchronous (async / await) system.
Speaking of technology, Xamarin uses C # and traditional libraries wrapped around a .Net layer to improve the performance of a different platform. Such apps are often compared to the common ones in both iOS and Android mobile development platforms in terms of functionality and user experience. Additionally, Xamarin can use all the native and latest API access to use sub-field capabilities in Xamarin applications such as ARKIt on iOS or Android Multi-Window.
Although code related to business thinking, website access, and network connectivity can be shared across all platforms, Xamarin allows you to create a field-specific UI code. Therefore, Xamarin cross-platform applications look 100% traditional on any device, providing a better user experience better, compared to hybrid applications.
Consolidation. The platform has two major products: Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin.Android. In the case of iOS, the source code is directly integrated with the native ARM code (Advanced Integration), while the Android Xamarin applications are first integrated into the Medium Language and then - the native code during operation (Just - in - time integration). However, in both cases, the process is automated and directed to address issues such as memory allocation, garbage collection, and automated platform interaction.
Xamarin. Forms. Xamarin. Forms is a unique product designed to create prototypes or mobile applications that share up to 100 percent code across iOS and Android.
Xamarin.Mac. Additionally, developers can use Xamarin. Mac to build Mac OS applications. These and other products from the Xamarin stack will be briefly discussed.
Platform SDKs. "Xamarin provides access to detailed SDKs (Cocoa Touch for iOS and Android SDK) with simple C # syntax.
Code-specific bond bonds. In most cases, developers will be able to manage development by maintaining the traditional look and feel of the appropriate platforms within the Xamarin area. However, Xamarin allows you to dial an existing domain code (e.g. Swift for iOS) if you have to reuse other modules or recognize certain domain-specific functions such as barcode scanning, PayPal, or Google Analytics integration.
Clothing support. Xamarin has been developing multi-platform clock devices. Developers can use your Visual Studio for both Mac and Windows to build iOS Apple Watch apps. Also, Xamarin fully supports Android Wear.
Xamarin project structure. Many Xamarin-related functions are expected to be used with Windows upgrades included with Visual Studio and Xamarin. Apps can be configured directly from desktops or on devices and emulators. If you plan to upgrade iOS apps to Windows, it may also be possible as Visual Studio connects to the iOS Newspaper designer with the iOS template. There is also a Visual Studio for Mac that allows you to use the template on a Mac or directly on a locked iPhone. Debugging is done with Visual Studio.
Like any other technology, Xamarin has its advantages and disadvantages, which has been the subject of much debate recently. To make an informed decision about Xamarin compared to native development, let's weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of Xamarin app development. If you are stressed at the time, we recommend that you watch this video to give an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the Xamarin arena in less than 6 minutes.
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.