Features of Xamarin Platform for Hybrid App Development

In the age of smart technology with applications for everything, as a developer, you need to design and develop apps that are fast, efficient, and compatible with every platform. Android and iOS at the top of the mobile app market, so you need to launch high-performing apps that run multiple devices with unparalleled user-interface and user experience.

Xamarin is an open-source app development framework that can create secure, scalable, and feature-packed apps that can function efficiently on mobiles, tablets, and desktops. Additionally, Xamarin writes codes in C# language and allows the developers to share 90% of the codebase for each OS.

The framework offers all the attributes of native apps, plus several game-changing features unique to it. Some of the top features are:

Android and iOS platforms dominate the mobile app market with most of the global audience using Android, whereas higher monetization opportunities lie with iOS users. With such a difference, building cross-platform apps can help bring in profits and visitors from both OS users. These are the features you can expect:

C# is a programming language that Xamarin uses for its mobile apps. It is a modern version of C++ which offers significant enhancements against Objective-C and JS. As a developer, you can access Dynamic Language Features, Functional Constructs, parallel programming features, and more.

The language is modern, general-purpose, object-oriented, with type safety attributes that limit type errors, the straightforward syntax makes it possible to use pointers and headers. It is functional for all platforms, which gives Xamarin apps a native-look and feel with high performance and user experience.

C# is one of the languages of .NET Framework that makes it applicable for the abundance of .NET features like LINQ, Lambdas, and asynchronous programming. The noteworthy attribute of Xamarin that makes it significant for cross-platform development is the use of C# and native libraries bundled with the .NET framework.

Furthermore, 90% of the shared codebase is for business logic, database access, and network communications. The other 10% of the code is the platform-specific UI that provides Xamarin apps with Native-like performance capabilities and a smooth user experience that is far better than a traditional hybrid app.

Additionally, with the native and latest APIs, Xamarin apps have access to built-in platform-specific capabilities on both Android and iOS.

Both Xamarin products, Xamarin.iOS, and Xamarin.Android have two distinct compilation strategies. With the Apple OS, the source code is directly put into the original ARM assembly code. Whereas for Android OS, the Xamarin.Android apps are first compiled into the intermediate language then later into the unique assembly code in run-time. It is termed Ahead-of-time and Just-in-time compilation, respectively.

Both processes, however, are automated and optimized to deal with issues such as garbage collection, memory allocation, and platform interoperability.

Xamarin.Forms are another significant feature of the Xamarin framework for mobile app development. It is an entirely separate product from Xamarin.iOS or Xamarin.Android.

Second, you code UI for all platforms at one time with 100% code sharing; such is the case with Xamarin.Forms. Developers can create a prototype or a mobile app with a simple design that has an entirely similar code for both iOS and Android platforms, unlike the 90% of code sharing without Xamarin.Forms.

While Xamarin.Forms create apps for iOS and Android devices, Xamarin.Mac is a product of the Xamarin framework that enables you to design apps for the MacOS.

In addition to the Native APIs, Xamarin also has access to platform-SDKs — Android SDKs and Cocoa Touch for iOS. The SDK integration provides support for the app’s features as soon as it is inserted in the host device’s OS.

Xamarin support not just the development of mobile applications. But, another distinguishing feature of the Xamarin framework is its ability to design apps that function on all smart devices including wearable tech.

For Android and iOS, Developers can employ the use of Visual Studio to create applications for Apple Smartwatches, Windows and Mac. It also supports the creation of apps for Android wear.

Xamarin runs with Visual Studio creating powerful and modern IDE with features including project building, template library, and auto code completion. The Framework allows you to design high-performing apps with real-native binary code that results in authentic native-like, cross-platform applications.

Additionally, the single codebase makes it possible to fix any errors and keep it bug-free. The bugs and any performance hiccups can be removed directly from the desktops or emulators and devices. For example, if you want to design an iOS app on your Windows desktop, you can connect Visual Studio to iOS simulator and iOS storyboard designer.

Contrarily, you can use Visual Studio for Mac. It allows you to run the iOS simulator on a Mac or a tethered iPhone, directly.

In a nutshell, Xamarin’s code reuse feature decreases development time and allows you to launch cross-platform apps within a few weeks.

· Single-technology stack for coding on multiple platforms

· Native-like performance of apps

· Native User experience

· Full hardware support unlike the standard cross-platform apps

· Open-source tech with corporate support

· Convenient Maintenance

· Full development Ecosystem

· Compatible with Wearables, IoT, and TV

These are some of the benefits that Xamarin offers for cross-platform app development. However, with all these pros and features, there are also disadvantages to using Xamarin. The Xamarin-based apps show compatibility issues with third-party libraries and tools, stability issues, delayed support for updates, and more.

With both the pros and cons and the best features in mind, Xamarin’s best use lies in the development of mobile enterprise applications. It is because of the use of standard UI and core product logic that can be shared across platforms. On the other hand, with heavy UI for consumer-facing apps, Xamarin comes equal to native solutions concerning time and cost.

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