hi,
we recently was tasked with two apps
the first one is an Uber like app but for buses and trucks
the second is an ecommerce app like amazon
what is the best approach for them can i use xamarin.forms or the xamarin native would be the best one ?
0
Answers
JimBennettGBXamarin Team, Insider, University, Developer Group Leader✭✭✭✭
Yes, I would use forms or native for these apps.
The answer really is depends - you can do a lot with Forms, but not everything. Check https://www.xamarin.com/forms, there is a nice comparison about half way down.
It honestly depends on how complicated you want your user interface to be. If you're new to the platform then forms will get you up and started faster, however you will hit a brick wall when you have to get into custom renderers and views for the complicated parts of your application.
Here are some guidelines off the top of my head
Forms:
1. Ideal for new users
2. Ideal for simple user interfaces with little configuration
3. Ideal for when platform expansion is a consideration (UWP, MacOS, etc)
4. Ideal for shorter deadlines
Native
1. Ideal when performance is a consideration
2. Ideal when the layout may differ greatly to make use of platform specific features
Just remember
a) There Is nothing you can't do in forms which you can do in native. It just gets VERY complicated, VERY fast due to the renderers needed.
b) Soon you will be able to use forms in native code anyway, meaning starting a native app now means you have the opinion to use forms for parts of it in the future
in my opinion, give both a go and go with your gut feeling.
Don't use Xamarin Forms.... Unless your app just wants to display a couple of text labels and possibly an image.... and you don't want to use list boxes or have an app that has decent performance.... and you like long startup times for simple apps.... I would stay away from Xamarin.Forms....
Xamarin Android and iOS are great though.... Just not Forms.... unless maybe if it's an internal prototype..... even then as long as your boss doesn't expect an app that performs well....
Answers
Yes, I would use forms or native for these apps.
The answer really is depends - you can do a lot with Forms, but not everything. Check https://www.xamarin.com/forms, there is a nice comparison about half way down.
It honestly depends on how complicated you want your user interface to be. If you're new to the platform then forms will get you up and started faster, however you will hit a brick wall when you have to get into custom renderers and views for the complicated parts of your application.
Here are some guidelines off the top of my head
Forms:
1. Ideal for new users
2. Ideal for simple user interfaces with little configuration
3. Ideal for when platform expansion is a consideration (UWP, MacOS, etc)
4. Ideal for shorter deadlines
Native
1. Ideal when performance is a consideration
2. Ideal when the layout may differ greatly to make use of platform specific features
Just remember
a) There Is nothing you can't do in forms which you can do in native. It just gets VERY complicated, VERY fast due to the renderers needed.
b) Soon you will be able to use forms in native code anyway, meaning starting a native app now means you have the opinion to use forms for parts of it in the future
in my opinion, give both a go and go with your gut feeling.
Don't use Xamarin Forms.... Unless your app just wants to display a couple of text labels and possibly an image.... and you don't want to use list boxes or have an app that has decent performance.... and you like long startup times for simple apps.... I would stay away from Xamarin.Forms....
Xamarin Android and iOS are great though.... Just not Forms.... unless maybe if it's an internal prototype..... even then as long as your boss doesn't expect an app that performs well....
thanks very much guys
i'll give xamarin native a try and see the difference