Android apps are built in Java as that’s the official language. Developers can use the Android Native Development Kit (NDK) and create apps using C and C++. This method seems a lot more complicated and may be a tedious task.
On the other hand, Xamarin provides a better option for developing apps in C#. One can do anything and everything with Java and enjoy the advantages of the added functionality. If you are a C# programmer and you do not wish to learn other programming languages, you can opt for Xamarin for building cross platform apps. If you use Visual Studio, you can build mobile apps for Android, iOS, and Windows. If you are well versed with .Net, you can use the same library in Xamarin.
Why use Xamarin?
With Xamarin, you can test the mobile apps as they are developed. It helps to sort out bugs and issues even during the alpha stage of mobile application development. Code reusability is an added advantage of Xamarin. It allows developers build innovative apps without spending a lot of time and money for cross platform mobile app development. The IDEs for Java is easier to implement as compared to C#.
Xamarin developers have to use third-party libraries for developing apps. This can be a real pain for Xamarin developers. Creating bindings to use third-party libraries can be a cumbersome and time-consuming task.
Visual Studio is about 543 MB of download size. Mobile app development with C++ accounts to about ~4 GB, and hence, issues with bandwidth and internet connection may occur. You may have to re-download the components, and waste a lot of time and amount of internet.
What makes Android Studio popular?
Android Studio is the official IDEA for Android. When you choose Android Studio, it is limited to Android app development only. If you want to develop apps for other platforms in Java, then you may have to learn another ID also.
One major difference between Xamarin and Android Studio is seen in the file structure of IDEs. Android Studio includes Gradle – a tool that Google uses for Android Studio. It also helps to manage the compilers and APK Packager.
Android Studio has Graphical User Interface (GUI), which makes it easier for the coders to manage the visual elements of the applications. Android Studio makes use of modules to organize and manage the core modules. The modules have their own Gradle built files that are capable of stating their own dependencies. Android Studio looks more natural as compared to other mobile app development tools.
The difference is that Xamarin uses MSBuild to complete this task and Android Studio uses Gradle. However, this is a simplified conclusion, and by looking at the documentation, I can tell there is a lot more to this subject.
It is a fact that you can take the advantage of the native UI when using Android SDK. It doesn’t mean that Android only offers this option. Xamarin also has built UI design environments for Xamarin Studio and Visual Studio. They have specialized UI and UX design tools as Android. It means that you get the same look and feel as well as the same power when you choose Xamarin instead of Android SDK.
Will it be up to date?
When you develop a mobile app with Android SDK, you will be up to date with the latest APIs from Google. You can also receive support for the new APIs as soon as they are available for use.
Xamarin also has instant access to Google’s latest Android APIs. Xamarin stays up to date with the latest releases and offers full support for Android APIs.
Developers would like to move but…
If you have worked on a lot of Android apps in Java, you may be tempted to stick to what you’ve been doing for years. Xamarin Studio allows you to call existing Java code from C#. It means that your code, frameworks, and custom controls can be brought into Xamarin app with the help of the environment’s automatic binding generator.
Xamarin Studio offers a lot of benefits to the developers and users. You get the advantages of using Android SDK when using a fully supported environment and C#. i-Verve is a top Xamarin development company specializing in building cross platform applications using the latest tools and technologies.
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