If you are planning to expand your business’s reach and potential, you must be looking for a framework that is capable of building native cross-platform desktop and mobile applications.
Is there a framework that can achieve this?
Absolutely!
By leveraging Microsoft’s .NET MAUI, developers can efficiently create both web and mobile applications using a unified C# and XAML codebase.
This multi-platform application UI framework has been built on the strong foundation of the ASP.NET framework, and it aims to provide a seamless and consistent user experience across various devices.
Without having to change their current development frameworks or pick up new languages, it lets developers concentrate on any device.
.NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) is a flexible application development framework from Microsoft, crafted to work within the .NET ecosystem.
This framework supports development for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows. It promotes efficient code reuse and delivers a consistent UI experience across multiple platforms.
.NET MAUI represents an evolution of Xamarin. Forms are expanding its competencies from mobile to desktop environments with completely redesigned UI controls that boost performance.
It bears similarities to Xamarin Forms, which also enables cross-platform app creation using a single codebase.
The primary objective of .NET MAUI is to enable .net developers to build most of an app’s functionality and UI design within a single project framework.
.NET MAUI is an ideal choice for developers who aim to:
Let’s explore how .NET MAUI functions.
.NET MAUI adopts a ground-breaking architectural approach utilizing the Model-View-Update (MVU) pattern.
This design simplifies UI development by enabling developers to consolidate the application’s state and logic within a single code file.
This integration fosters a more cohesive and responsive methodology for developing user interfaces.
.NET MAUI is designed to provide a write-once, run-anywhere capability, enabling developers to tap into native, platform-specific APIs for a tailored experience.
Fundamentally, .NET MAUI works by using particular frameworks on a given platform to create apps that work on a range of devices:
The figure below provides more information on the architecture, illustrating how .NET MAUI interfaces with different platform frameworks to facilitate cross-platform app development while maintaining access to native functionalities.
.NET MAUI includes a built-in user interface designer that streamlines the development process for .NET developers by reducing the need for manually writing code when building applications across multiple platforms.
| Single CodeBase | Developers build the application’s code, including user interfaces and business logic, within a unified codebase, primarily utilizing C# and XAML. |
| Platform-Specific Projects | This framework is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, creating specific projects for each platform that include unique code, configurations, and resources. |
| User Interface Rendering | The MAUI Handler plays a key role in user interface rendering. It converts XAML-based UI definitions into native controls specific to each platform, ensuring uniformity in appearance and functionality across different devices. |
| Native Compilation | The .NET runtime transforms the shared code into native code specific to each platform, optimizing performance and allowing the applications to run natively on each targeted device. |
| MVVM Model | Developers often implement the Model-View-View Model (MVVM) Model to distinguish between the application’s logic and user interface, enhancing the codebase’s organization and maintainability. |
| XAML and C# | The user interface is defined using XAML, while the underlying logic is written in C#, facilitating an easier development process for both the UI and application behavior. |
| Testing and Debugging | .NET developers can leverage the debugging tools provided by their IDEs, such as Visual Studio or Visual Studio for Mac, to test and debug their .NET multi-platform app UI applications. |
The .NET MAUI streamlines the process of developing cross-platform apps by offering an efficient, cohesive, and native-compatible framework that harnesses the capabilities of .NET, XAML, and C#.
Its comprehensive feature set makes it an ideal option for developers committed to crafting superior, versatile applications.
Here are some key benefits of using the .NET MAUI:
A major benefit of this framework is its ability to support a single codebase that operates across multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.
This eliminates the need for developers to create and manage separate codebases for each platform, thereby saving significant time and resources.
The framework allows for a unified project structure that includes the user interface, business logic, and resources. This centralized codebase streamlines the development process, minimizes code redundancy, and simplifies ongoing maintenance.
The .NET multi-platform app UI ensures uniformity in user interface design across various devices, platforms, and screen sizes.
This consistency enhances the user experience, boosting engagement and aiding in brand recognition.
Integration with Blazor components is seamless, enabling the development of both web and mobile applications using a shared codebase and UI components.
The introduction of Model-View-Update (MVU) architecture within the framework simplifies UI development by adopting a reactive approach.
This makes it easier to manage and develop complex user interfaces.
For optimal user engagement and low bounce rates, web apps need to load and render quickly.
The .NET multi-platform app UI’s handler-mapper mechanism enhances performance by minimizing UI layers, which in turn boosts the application’s overall efficiency.
The framework’s integration with a vast array of libraries, tools, and packages enhances developer productivity and facilitates the incorporation of diverse third-party solutions.
Developers can design bespoke controls, layouts, and themes that are reusable across different platforms using .NET multi-platform app UI.
This not only reduces repetitive work but also maintains design consistency and eases maintenance efforts, allowing for deeper and more effective customization while ensuring a uniform user experience across various devices and operating systems.
Here are some exciting features, which collectively make .NET MAUI a powerful framework for building versatile, high-performance, and visually compelling applications across multiple platforms.
.NET MAUI enhances the development process by providing robust build tools for each platform, streamlining tasks like resource packaging.
This functionality allows developers to continue development seamlessly across all target platforms without interruption.
The layout engine in .NET MAUI simplifies designing app pages, ensuring a smooth and coherent user interface.
It supports cross-platform graphics via a drawing canvas, which allows developers to move beyond native control dependencies, offering greater flexibility in UI design.
A key strength of .NET MAUI is its cross-platform capability. Developers can create applications for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android from a single codebase.
The framework utilizes UI toolkits that execute native code on each device, delivering a consistent native user experience across different platforms without the need for diverse processes or languages.
.NET MAUI uses the C# programming language, developed by Microsoft. C# is favored by many developers for its object-oriented features and robust support for enterprise-level application development.
As .NET MAUI is fully integrated with the .NET ecosystem, developers familiar with .NET find it particularly accessible and easy to use, leveraging existing .NET technologies and practices.
WebView in .NET MAUI allows the incorporation of web content directly within applications, facilitating the display of web pages, online forms, and authentication flows, and supporting hybrid app scenarios.
This feature ensures seamless integration of web content into your cross-platform applications.
BoxView is a straightforward UI component used to display a colored rectangle or box, commonly utilized for decorative or spacing functions within an app’s layout.
It allows .NET developers to easily manage the visual separation and positioning of interface elements by adjusting color, size, and placement.
Utilizing various chart types like bar, line, and pie charts, .NET developers can enhance data visualization within apps.
This feature makes complex data more understandable and visually appealing to users, enriching the overall user experience.
Starting with .NET multi-platform app UI is a structured process that involves preparing your development setup, initiating a new project, and familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals of .NET development. Below is a detailed guide to help you get started:
This guide provides a comprehensive approach to setting up and starting a new project in .NET multi-platform app UI, ensuring you are ready to begin development efficiently.
Your project will include a single shared codebase (e.g., MyApp) alongside platform-specific projects (MyApp.iOS, MyApp.Android, etc.), and various resource files.
The shared codebase will contain the majority of your application’s logic, encompassing both UI and business components.
Utilize XAML, C#, and .NET MAUI controls to craft your app’s user interface. Implement the MVU (Model-View-Update) pattern to streamline your UI architecture. Customize your app’s functionality, appearance, and overall user experience.
Systematically debug your app to detect and fix issues. Employ the integrated emulators and device simulators to test your app across different platforms.
Incorporate built-in features such as WebView for integrating web content, IndicatorView for displaying progress indicators, and Charts for visualizing data.
Leverage the .NET ecosystem to access additional libraries and extensions that can enhance your application.
Ready your app for distribution by setting up deployment configurations for each target platform.
Compile and package your iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows apps. Distribute your application via app stores or through device side-loading.
Continuously update and refine your app based on user feedback and changing requirements. Stay current with the latest updates and features to maintain a competitive edge in the app market for both mobile and desktop platforms.
Microsoft’s latest offering .NET Multi-platform App UI (MAUI), has been designed to facilitate app development across multiple platforms using C#, .NET, and XAML.
This new framework allows developers to create a single version of an application that can be deployed on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, eliminating the need to develop separate versions for each platform.
With .NET MAUI, C#, and XAML, developers are now equipped with an expanded range of capabilities, enhancing the creation of business logic and signaling a promising future for mobile development.
.NET MAUI is set to be a key player in the advancement of this ever-emerging field.
Arka Softwares is a leading company in .NET multi-platform app UI development. We have completed numerous projects leveraging advanced tools such as Blazor, Hot Reload, Xamarin, and .NET 6.
Our seasoned team excels at producing superior native applications for various platforms using a unified codebase.
So, what are you waiting for?
Let’s connect with our MAUI experts and kick-start your .NET MAUI journey.
Jeeto11
The app quickly earned over 1,000 downloads within two months of launch, and users have responded positively. ARKA Softwares boasted experienced resources who were happy to share their knowledge with the internal team.
Archithrones
While the development is ongoing, the client is pleased with the work thus far, which has met expectations. ARKA Softwares puts the needs of the client first, remaining open to feedback on their work. Their team is adaptable, responsive, and hard-working.
Service Provider
I started my project with Arka Softwares because it is a reputed company. And when I started working with them for my project, I found out that they have everything essential for my work. The app is still under development and but quite confident and it will turn out to be the best.
