Xamarin.Forms and
Xamarin.Native are two approaches for building mobile applications using the Xamarin framework, each with its own characteristics and use cases:
Xamarin.Forms :
* Xamarin.Forms is a UI toolkit that allows developers to create cross-platform mobile applications using a single, shared codebase.
* With Xamarin.Forms, developers can define the user interface (UI) of their application using a combination of XAML (eXtensible Application Markup Language) for declarative UI design and C# for application logic.
* Xamarin.Forms abstracts the UI elements into a set of common controls that are rendered using native UI components on each platform. This means that developers can create a single UI layout and logic, which is then rendered natively on iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.
* Xamarin.Forms is well-suited for applications with simple to moderately complex user interfaces that can be shared across platforms without significant platform-specific customization.
* It offers rapid development and high code reuse, making it ideal for building prototypes, line-of-business applications, or apps with tight development timelines.
* Xamarin.Forms is suitable for developers who prioritize code sharing and maintainability over platform-specific customization and performance optimization.
Xamarin.Native (Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin.Android) :
* Xamarin.Native refers to the approach of building mobile applications using the native user interface frameworks and development tools for each platform: Xamarin.iOS for iOS and Xamarin.Android for Android.
* With Xamarin.Native, developers use platform-specific UI frameworks, such as UIKit for iOS and Android SDK for Android, to create the user interface and application logic.
* Developers write separate codebases for each platform, leveraging Xamarin bindings and APIs to access platform-specific functionalities and features.
* Xamarin.Native provides full access to native platform APIs, allowing developers to create highly customized and platform-specific user experiences.
* It is suitable for applications with complex user interfaces, intricate platform-specific functionalities, or performance-critical requirements.
* Xamarin.Native offers the highest degree of flexibility and control over the application's behavior and appearance on each platform but requires more effort and maintenance due to separate codebases.
