Developing Cross-Platform Apps with C# using Xamarin
C# is one of the most popular development languages in the world but we write the majority of mobile apps in Java, Swift or Objective-C. While it was originally possible to build .NET apps running on Windows-based devices only, the game has changed. Dramatically.
Using Xamarin, we can now write apps, which run on Android and iOS devices natively using C#. This way, C# allows us to target billions of extra devices using the language we all love. The experiences, which users get from Xamarin-base apps, are fully native: the apps aren't web-based, trimmed-down versions of the apps. Instead, they offer the full functionality of the platform they target.
The impact in terms of re-using code is huge. We can build architecture with this cross-platform functionality in mind and construct it so that a lot (or maybe we should say: most) of our code can be re-used in Windows Phone, iOS and Android apps.
In this course, you'll learn about the Xamarin environment. You'll learn about cross-platform development, Xamarin.Android and Xamarin.iOS. All this becomes possible using the knowledge you already have: C#!
Students should have experience developing applications or websites using C#; the course assumes you are familiar with the C# language. XAML knowledge is a plus but is not required.
Please note: Due to the nature of the delegate labs on this course it can only run on Apple Macs. The course cannot be delivered on Windows based machines. This is not a requirement for delegates completing the course as Attend From Anywhere.
Chapter 1: C# Review
To start we review some of the key features of the C# language that you will need to understand and exploit when developing effective Xamarin apps.
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Chapter 2: Xamarin Introduction
Next we set the scene by introducing Xamarin and discuss where it fits in and how it can be best used. We look at some of the mobile development challenges and then begin to take a look at the mighty tool itself.
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Chapter 3: Getting Started with Xamarin.android
In Chapter 3 we are straight into the fundamentals of android app development and look at creating projects, setting correct API versions and working with resources such as layouts and images. After reviewing android App architecture we then create our first activity and soon create a multi activity app with Intents. By the end you have your first android app.
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Chapter 4: Designing your android UI with Layouts
Laying out your activities is an essential part of designing an app. That's why we take some time to explore the various options available that enable you to create an adaptable layout. We also take a look at some of the widely used UI views available out of the box.
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Chapter 5: Lists, Tabs and Fragments in android
Displaying lists of information is an essential part of any app so we spend some time exploring how we can present standard and custom lists of data to users. We also look at how we can present a Tabbed interface and introduce the concept of reusable fragments.
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Chapter 6: Additional android Issues
To finish off android development we look at some additional issues that you need to be aware off.
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Chapter 7: Cross Platform Code Sharing
The big win with Xamarin is code reuse across platforms. The more reuse the greater the benefit. We will look at how this can be achieved.
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Chapter 8: Getting Started With iOS Development in Xamarin
In this chapter you will use the same C# language to write an iOS app. We will find out about designing our app with a storyboard and then hook it up to code in the form of a View Controller. In no time we are creating multi scene applications and are segueing between them.
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Chapter 9: Designing an iOS Layout
In Chapter 8 we look at how we can design a UI to respond to changes in container size using a combination of Auto Layout and Size Classes. We will also explore some of the UI controls.
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Chapter 10: Working with Table Views
The workhorse of any app is the table view. We use it to display data and even to layout our data entry forms. In this chapter we will explore the table view. We will also look at a related view called the Collection view.
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Chapter 11: Controlling iOS Navigation and Storage
We finish off our look as iOS development in Xamarin by covering iOS navigation and looking at how we can store basic data.
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Chapter 12: App Deployment for android and iOS
So your app is complete and ready to be deployed. So how do you do that? We will look at the issues involved in deploying your app to the relevant app stores.
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Chapter 13: Xamarin.Forms
Having spent most of the course writing separate apps for android and iOS we now look to Xamarin forms to unify our development process. 'Write once run everywhere' is the pitch but can we really write one set of UI code and run it on android, iOS and Windows phone. In this chapter we will find out.
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Chapter 14: Forms, ListViews and Data Binding with Xamarin.Forms
We look a little more closely at writing forms and lists and introduce data binding with XAML.
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