Is it Worth It to Start Learning Xamarin?
With the rapid development of mobile technology, cross-platform mobile app development frameworks have become increasingly popular among developers. One such framework that has gained significant traction is Xamarin. Xamarin brings the .NET and C# programming languages to both Android and iOS platforms, allowing developers to create true mobile applications for multiple platforms using a unified development environment. In this article, we will explore the benefits of learning Xamarin and why it's worth the investment.
What is Xamarin?
Xamarin is a cross-platform mobile app development framework that allows developers to build apps for iOS, Android, and Windows using a single codebase. The technology is fully based on the .NET framework, making it an excellent choice for those familiar with C#. Mono, the open-source version of the .NET framework, forms the foundation of Xamarin and is still actively maintained and supported.
Why Is Xamarin Worth Learning?
Microsoft's Adoption of Xamarin
Microsoft has been a strong advocate of Xamarin, integrating it into their development ecosystem. For developers who were previously invested in .NET technologies, such as those who worked with WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) applications, Xamarin offers a familiar and seamless transition. This has made it an appealing choice for developers looking to expand their skills.
MAUI (Multi-platform App UI)
MAUI is Microsoft's upcoming framework for building cross-platform UIs. Microsoft is set to launch a preview of MAUI for .NET 5 by November 2020, and its general availability is expected in .NET 6 by November 2021. As MAUI builds on Xamarin's foundation, learning Xamarin now will provide a solid groundwork for the future. This transition ensures that developers are future-proof in the ever-evolving landscape of mobile app development.
Latest News from Microsoft
To stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world of Xamarin, you can follow .NET Foundation on YouTube and Twitter. The official Channel9 YouTube channel and official Twitter handles for Microsoft and its technologies are excellent resources for staying informed about the latest developments in .NET and cross-platform mobile development.
Key Features of Xamarin
Visual Design in Xamarin Forms 4.0
One of the key features of Xamarin is the introduction of Visual Design in Xamarin Forms 4.0. This tool allows developers to create more consistent views between platforms based on Google's design patterns, known as Material Design, ensuring a unified look and feel across different devices.
Six Reasons to Use Xamarin
According to our CTO at Riseapps, there are six main reasons to use Xamarin over developing on native applications:
Open-Source Platform: Xamarin is open-source, providing developers with the flexibility to customize and extend the framework. Native-like User Experience: Xamarin can still provide a native-like user experience, thanks to its ability to integrate with native APIs and UI controls. API Reuse: The same API can be reused across different platforms, reducing development time and effort. Shared App Logic: Shared app logic allows for consistent behavior across multiple platforms, simplifying maintenance and updates. Advantages of C#: The use of C# simplifies code sharing, making it easier to write and manage code. Auto-Updates and SDK Integration: Thanks to the integration of the SDK, Xamarin makes it easy to add new features and auto-update different versions of the app.Strengths of Using Xamarin
Xamarin offers several strengths, making it a compelling choice for developers:
Simplicity in Usage: Xamarin simplifies the process of sharing code across multiple mobile platforms, reducing development time. The framework has standardized UI controls, eliminating the need to create new plugins. Flexibility: Xamarin provides developers with a wide range of resources, including cross-platform libraries, UI controls, and third-party web services. Reliable Cloud-Based Data Synchronization: Xamarin offers reliable cloud-based data synchronization, ensuring that apps can be used even when the user is not connected to the internet. Data Protection: Xamarin provides developers with the assurance that app and data security is maintained. All data is encrypted, ensuring that data is protected. Scalability: Xamarin ensures that apps are future-ready, as it works with the latest SDKs and utilizes common and platform-specific APIs.Conclusion
Considering the benefits of Xamarin and its strong support from Microsoft, it is undoubtedly worth investing time and effort into learning this framework. Whether you are a seasoned .NET developer or a newcomer to mobile app development, Xamarin offers a powerful and flexible tool for building high-quality cross-platform mobile apps.