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GraphQL vs Xamarin: What are the differences?
# Introduction
In this Markdown document, we will compare and contrast the key differences between GraphQL and Xamarin.
1. **Language and Purpose**: GraphQL is a query language for APIs created by Facebook, used for fetching only the data requested by the client. On the other hand, Xamarin is a platform that allows developers to create cross-platform mobile applications using C# and .NET.
2. **Scope of Use**: GraphQL is primarily used for querying and manipulating data, providing a more efficient and flexible approach compared to REST APIs. In contrast, Xamarin is focused on building mobile applications across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.
3. **Development Environment**: GraphQL does not dictate the development environment or tools used, giving developers the flexibility to work with their preferred setup. Xamarin offers an integrated development environment (IDE) through Visual Studio, streamlining the process of designing and coding mobile applications.
4. **Community Support**: GraphQL has gained significant momentum in recent years, with a growing community contributing to its improvement and adoption. While Xamarin also has a strong developer community, it may not be as extensive as the support for GraphQL due to its specialization in mobile development.
5. **Deployment Options**: With GraphQL, the server-side implementation can vary based on the specific requirements of an application, enabling deployment in different environments such as cloud services or dedicated servers. In contrast, Xamarin apps can be deployed across various platforms, utilizing specific deployment methods for each operating system.
6. **Learning Curve**: GraphQL introduces a novel approach to data fetching and manipulation, which may require a learning curve for developers accustomed to traditional REST APIs. Xamarin, on the other hand, leverages C# and .NET, making it easier for developers familiar with these languages to transition to mobile app development.
In Summary, the key differences between GraphQL and Xamarin revolve around their language and purpose, scope of use, development environment, community support, deployment options, and learning curve.
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Learn MorePros of GraphQL
Pros of Xamarin
Pros of GraphQL
- Schemas defined by the requests made by the user75
- Will replace RESTful interfaces63
- The future of API's62
- The future of databases49
- Self-documenting13
- Get many resources in a single request12
- Query Language6
- Ask for what you need, get exactly that6
- Fetch different resources in one request3
- Type system3
- Evolve your API without versions3
- Ease of client creation2
- GraphiQL2
- Easy setup2
- "Open" document1
- Fast prototyping1
- Supports subscription1
- Standard1
- Good for apps that query at build time. (SSR/Gatsby)1
- 1. Describe your data1
- Better versioning1
- Backed by Facebook1
- Easy to learn1
Pros of Xamarin
- Power of c# on mobile devices121
- Native performance81
- Native apps with native ui controls79
- No javascript - truely compiled code73
- Sharing more than 90% of code over all platforms67
- Ability to leverage visual studio45
- Mvvm pattern44
- Many great c# libraries44
- Amazing support36
- Powerful platform for .net developers34
- GUI Native look and Feel19
- Nuget package manager16
- Free12
- Backed by Microsoft9
- Enables code reuse on server9
- Faster Development8
- Use of third-party .NET libraries7
- It's free since Apr 20167
- Best performance than other cross-platform7
- Easy Debug and Trace7
- Open Source7
- Mac IDE (Xamarin Studio)6
- Xamarin.forms is the best, it's amazing6
- That just work for every scenario5
- C# mult paradigm language5
- Power of C#, no javascript, visual studio5
- Great docs4
- Compatible to develop Hybrid apps4
- Microsoft stack4
- Microsoft backed4
- Well Designed3
- Small learning curve for Mobile developers3
- Ionic2
- Ability to leverage legacy C and C++2
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Cons of GraphQL
Cons of Xamarin
Cons of GraphQL
- Hard to migrate from GraphQL to another technology4
- More code to type.4
- Takes longer to build compared to schemaless.2
- No support for caching1
- All the pros sound like NFT pitches1
- No support for streaming1
- Works just like any other API at runtime1
- N+1 fetch problem1
- No built in security1
Cons of Xamarin
- Build times9
- Visual Studio5
- Price4
- Complexity3
- Scalability3
- Nuget2
- Maturity2
- Build Tools2
- Support2
- Maturidade0
- Performance0
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What is GraphQL?
GraphQL is a data query language and runtime designed and used at Facebook to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps since 2012.
What is Xamarin?
Xamarin’s Mono-based products enable .NET developers to use their existing code, libraries and tools (including Visual Studio*), as well as skills in .NET and the C# programming language, to create mobile applications for the industry’s most widely-used mobile devices, including Android-based smartphones and tablets, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
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What companies use GraphQL?
What companies use Xamarin?
What companies use GraphQL?
What companies use Xamarin?
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What tools integrate with GraphQL?
What tools integrate with Xamarin?
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Blog Posts
What are some alternatives to GraphQL and Xamarin?
gRPC
gRPC is a modern open source high performance RPC framework that can run in any environment. It can efficiently connect services in and across data centers with pluggable support for load balancing, tracing, health checking...
Falcor
Falcor lets you represent all your remote data sources as a single domain model via a virtual JSON graph. You code the same way no matter where the data is, whether in memory on the client or over the network on the server.
React
Lots of people use React as the V in MVC. Since React makes no assumptions about the rest of your technology stack, it's easy to try it out on a small feature in an existing project.
graphql.js
Lightest GraphQL client with intelligent features. You can download graphql.js directly, or you can use Bower or NPM.
MongoDB
MongoDB stores data in JSON-like documents that can vary in structure, offering a dynamic, flexible schema. MongoDB was also designed for high availability and scalability, with built-in replication and auto-sharding.