What Is Xamarin & Why You Might Need It
Xamarin is a powerful cross-platform framework that enables developers to build native mobile applications for iOS, Android, and Windows using a single codebase. Here’s why Xamarin could be the ideal solution for your app development needs:
A Brief History of Xamarin
Xamarin originated from the efforts of Miguel de Icaza and Nat Friedman, who started by developing Mono, an open-source project aimed at bringing .NET to Linux. Over time, Mono evolved, and in 2011, Xamarin was formed to continue this mission. Xamarin focused on cross-platform implementations of .NET, eventually becoming a key tool for building apps across multiple platforms. In 2016, Microsoft acquired Xamarin, integrating its tools into the Microsoft ecosystem and making them available under an open-source license.
How Does Xamarin Work?
Xamarin is built on the .NET framework and relies on C# for development. To use Xamarin, you need either Windows or macOS, depending on whether you’re developing for Android or iOS. Xamarin allows you to share code across platforms, using a single .NET codebase for Android, iOS, and Windows apps. This approach not only boosts efficiency but also ensures that your apps have a native look and feel with standard controls.
Benefits of Using Xamarin
- Code Sharing: With Xamarin, you can write over 75% of your code once and deploy it across Android and iOS, saving time and effort.
- Native Performance: Xamarin compiles apps for native performance, utilizing platform-specific hardware acceleration for smooth, high-performing applications.
- Native API Access: Your apps have full access to native APIs, ensuring they can leverage all the functionalities of the platform they are running on.
- Unified Development Environment: Xamarin integrates with both Visual Studio on Windows and Xamarin Studio on macOS, providing a seamless development experience.
Tools and Resources
Xamarin tools are available through Visual Studio IDE and various GitHub repositories, including:
- Xamarin Mac & iOS
- Xamarin Android
- Mono
You can also find support and join discussions on the Xamarin GitHub forums.
Why Outsource Xamarin Projects?
If you need to build a cross-platform application and your current team lacks C# expertise, outsourcing might be the solution. Hiring a specialized nearshore or offshore development team can provide the necessary skills and experience, often at a lower cost than expanding your in-house team.
Given the significant market share of Android and iOS, having mobile apps on both platforms is crucial for reaching a broad audience. Outsourcing Xamarin development can help you tap into this potential and grow your business.
