×

iFour Logo

Useful Plugins in Xamarin

Kapil Panchal - December 02, 2020

Listening is fun too.

Straighten your back and cherish with coffee - PLAY !

  • play
  • pause
  • pause
Useful Plugins in Xamarin

Xamarin Pluginsare basically a common use feature. We are using it to implementing natively on the project.Plugins for Xamarin are community nuggets and components. Cross-platform functionality or abstraction platform in common API. Both of these are too small for cross-platform.

The plug-in API works on every platform that every platform can access.If you want to make any plugin then first check from NuGet to browse if it is possible or not to make this kind of plugin, if it was available then it won't permit you to create a new plugin. You can make a plugin by using its tools.

Table of Content

Xamarin has many built-in plugins that you can use directly. In this blog, we will discuss which are very useful to us like their methods, supported version, release, author.

Plugins are as follows:

  • Microsoft.Net.HTTP

  • Newtonsoft.json

  • SQLite.net.psl

  • Xam.plugin.FilePicker

  • Xam.plugins.Notifier

  • Plugin.Fingerprint

  • Plugin.share

Microsoft.Net.HTTP


.Net

This package is used to send the request to the HTTP package. As well as to process messages, HTTPRequest and HTTPResponse web packages are used for web services.

This package sends and receives the data from the server. For example, HTTP Header will provide client-side as well as a server-side programming model for messages.

This package does not support Visual Studio 2010, but Windows phones, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and .Net packages are supported. The author of this package is Microsoft who developed this package in May 2020.

Newtonsoft.json


json.net

A JSON object is being serialized and deserialized by the json.net package. This package is used for high-end performance.

If you just want to access data through JSON then LINQ to JSON is the much-preferred option. You can use this package to perform tasks like serialization, deserialization, LINQ to JSON which you can perform by the code below.

The code of JavaScript is very hard to understand therefore a JSON file is added which can read JSON data and also understand it.JSON.net can be divided into 3 parts:

  • JSON Reader

  • JSON Writer

  • JSON serialization

 
Serialize JSON
Fruit fruit = new Fruit();
fruit.Name = "Banana";
fruit.Expiry = new DateTime(2008, 12, 28);
fruit.Sizes = new string[] { "Big" };
string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(fruit);
// {
//   "Name": "Banana",
//   "Expiry": "2008-12-28T00:00:00",
//   "Sizes": [
//     "Big"
//   ]
// }
 
Deserialize JSON
string jsons = @"{
'Name': 'Destiny Wiper',
'ReleaseDate': '1995-4-7T00:00:00',
'Genres': [
'Action',
'Gammer'
]
}";
Movie m = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(jsons);
string name = m.Name;
// Destiny Wiper

LINQ to JSON

 
JArrayarr = new JArray();
arr.Add("The Lion King");
arr.Add(new DateTime(2010, 5, 23));
JObjectorr = new JObject();
orr["Array"] = arr;
string json = orr.ToString();
// {
//   "Array": [
//     "The Lion King",
//     "2010-05-23T00:00:00"
//   ]
// }

SQLite.net.psl


SQLite

For .NET mono, the Xamarin application provides a package to give easy database access, which is a lightweight and open-source package that can be accessed by any platform.

This version is used to work in platform-independent environments. It was first made to use in Xamarin and later for Xamarin.net, UWP, and Azure.

Now it is totally platform-independent and supports all platforms.They're also a simple method to performed CRUD operations which provide easy functionality.

You can work with your data model without doing any changes in your class.

Xam.plugin.FilePicker


filepicker

It is a simple plugin that gives you the functionality to pick a file from a source as well as allows you to do changes in it.

There is nothing like the same method or same variable for all platforms, every platform has different methods from which you have to be careful and you also have to be careful while from where you are uploading the file and from when you are performing changes.

There will be scenarios where you won’t be shown any suggestions, so in that case, you just have to update the package.



 
try
{
FileData file = await CrossFilePicker.Current.PickFile();
if (file == null)
return; // user canceled file picking
string fileN = file.FileName;
string content = System.Text. Encoding.UTF8. GetString(file.DataArray);
System.Console.WriteLine("File name chosen: " + fileN);
System.Console.WriteLine("File data: " + content);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
System.Console.WriteLine("Exception choosing file: " + ex.ToString());

Xam.plugins.Notifier


notifier

This plugin helps you to show simple notifications on your device which supports the native mobile application. This also supports Android, iOS, and UWP phones.

Features:

  • Notification Receive

  • Notification category

  • Customize notification

  • Localization

  • Store notification

Planning to Hire Xamarin App Development Company ? Your Search ends here.

Plugin.Fingerprint


fingerprint

This plugin is developed to provide security. It will provide security to a user who will be using it. If the user will be authenticated then and only then the user can use the application. It can also work on cross-platform.

This plugin is very useful for payment modules and also can be used to lock the small application.

By using this plugin, you can use FaceId lock security, which is the most secure method. To use this plugin, you must have a fingerprint scanner in your device, and to use the FaceId scanner you much have a camera in your device. You also have to permit to access the location of your camera.

Features

  • Check fingerprint scanner

  • Fingerprint authentication

  • Ionic native support

  • Fallback option

 
Fingerprint.show({
description: "Some important description"
}, successCallback, errorCallback);
function successCallback(){
alert("user Authentication successfull");
}
function errorCallback(error){
alert("user Authentication invalid " + error.message);
}

Plugin.share


share

This is the most important plugin which has been developed to serve the purpose of sharing. By using this plugin you can share a copy of a file from one device to another like images, videos, audios, and other files.

This plugin also works with the cross-platform. It can use the windows browser to share files on desktop devices too. It is easy to access and does not require any extra hardware or you don't have to use any third-party application. It can be also accessed by all the devices very easily.

This plugin uses your device's Bluetooth or Wi-Fi hardware to share the data. You can also transfer multiple files. It is a very useful plugin for file transfer.

 
async void Button_OnClick(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
switch (((Button)sender).StyleId)
{
case "Text":
await CrossShare.Current.Share("Follow @jamesparro on Twitter", "Share");
break;
case "Link":
await CrossShare.Current.ShareLink("http://google.com", "Search any topic", "google");
break;
case "Browser":
await CrossShare.Current.OpenBrowser("http://google.com");
break;
}
}

Conclusion


In this blog, we mentioned few significant plugins in Xamarin. Xamarin have many useful inbuilt plugins which every tech enthusiast must know. We have also explained different plugins with their respective features as well.

Useful Plugins in Xamarin Xamarin Pluginsare basically a common use feature. We are using it to implementing natively on the project.Plugins for Xamarin are community nuggets and components. Cross-platform functionality or abstraction platform in common API. Both of these are too small for cross-platform. The plug-in API works on every platform that every platform can access.If you want to make any plugin then first check from NuGet to browse if it is possible or not to make this kind of plugin, if it was available then it won't permit you to create a new plugin. You can make a plugin by using its tools. Table of Content 1. Microsoft.Net.HTTP 2. Newtonsoft.json 3. SQLite.net.psl 4. Xam.plugin.FilePicker 5. Xam.plugins.Notifier 6. Plugin.Fingerprint 7. Plugin.share 8. Conclusion Xamarin has many built-in plugins that you can use directly. In this blog, we will discuss which are very useful to us like their methods, supported version, release, author. Plugins are as follows: Microsoft.Net.HTTP Newtonsoft.json SQLite.net.psl Xam.plugin.FilePicker Xam.plugins.Notifier Plugin.Fingerprint Plugin.share Microsoft.Net.HTTP This package is used to send the request to the HTTP package. As well as to process messages, HTTPRequest and HTTPResponse web packages are used for web services. This package sends and receives the data from the server. For example, HTTP Header will provide client-side as well as a server-side programming model for messages. This package does not support Visual Studio 2010, but Windows phones, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and .Net packages are supported. The author of this package is Microsoft who developed this package in May 2020. Newtonsoft.json A JSON object is being serialized and deserialized by the json.net package. This package is used for high-end performance. If you just want to access data through JSON then LINQ to JSON is the much-preferred option. You can use this package to perform tasks like serialization, deserialization, LINQ to JSON which you can perform by the code below. The code of JavaScript is very hard to understand therefore a JSON file is added which can read JSON data and also understand it.JSON.net can be divided into 3 parts: JSON Reader JSON Writer JSON serialization Read More: How To Verify Otp In Android Without Sms Read Permission Using Xamarin.forms?   Serialize JSON Fruit fruit = new Fruit(); fruit.Name = "Banana"; fruit.Expiry = new DateTime(2008, 12, 28); fruit.Sizes = new string[] { "Big" }; string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(fruit); // { // "Name": "Banana", // "Expiry": "2008-12-28T00:00:00", // "Sizes": [ // "Big" // ] // }   Deserialize JSON string jsons = @"{ 'Name': 'Destiny Wiper', 'ReleaseDate': '1995-4-7T00:00:00', 'Genres': [ 'Action', 'Gammer' ] }"; Movie m = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(jsons); string name = m.Name; // Destiny Wiper LINQ to JSON   JArrayarr = new JArray(); arr.Add("The Lion King"); arr.Add(new DateTime(2010, 5, 23)); JObjectorr = new JObject(); orr["Array"] = arr; string json = orr.ToString(); // { // "Array": [ // "The Lion King", // "2010-05-23T00:00:00" // ] // } SQLite.net.psl For .NET mono, the Xamarin application provides a package to give easy database access, which is a lightweight and open-source package that can be accessed by any platform. This version is used to work in platform-independent environments. It was first made to use in Xamarin and later for Xamarin.net, UWP, and Azure. Now it is totally platform-independent and supports all platforms.They're also a simple method to performed CRUD operations which provide easy functionality. You can work with your data model without doing any changes in your class. Xam.plugin.FilePicker It is a simple plugin that gives you the functionality to pick a file from a source as well as allows you to do changes in it. There is nothing like the same method or same variable for all platforms, every platform has different methods from which you have to be careful and you also have to be careful while from where you are uploading the file and from when you are performing changes. There will be scenarios where you won’t be shown any suggestions, so in that case, you just have to update the package.   try { FileData file = await CrossFilePicker.Current.PickFile(); if (file == null) return; // user canceled file picking string fileN = file.FileName; string content = System.Text. Encoding.UTF8. GetString(file.DataArray); System.Console.WriteLine("File name chosen: " + fileN); System.Console.WriteLine("File data: " + content); } catch (Exception ex) { System.Console.WriteLine("Exception choosing file: " + ex.ToString()); Xam.plugins.Notifier This plugin helps you to show simple notifications on your device which supports the native mobile application. This also supports Android, iOS, and UWP phones. Features: Notification Receive Notification category Customize notification Localization Store notification Planning to Hire Xamarin App Development Company ? Your Search ends here. See here Plugin.Fingerprint This plugin is developed to provide security. It will provide security to a user who will be using it. If the user will be authenticated then and only then the user can use the application. It can also work on cross-platform. This plugin is very useful for payment modules and also can be used to lock the small application. By using this plugin, you can use FaceId lock security, which is the most secure method. To use this plugin, you must have a fingerprint scanner in your device, and to use the FaceId scanner you much have a camera in your device. You also have to permit to access the location of your camera. Features Check fingerprint scanner Fingerprint authentication Ionic native support Fallback option   Fingerprint.show({ description: "Some important description" }, successCallback, errorCallback); function successCallback(){ alert("user Authentication successfull"); } function errorCallback(error){ alert("user Authentication invalid " + error.message); } Plugin.share This is the most important plugin which has been developed to serve the purpose of sharing. By using this plugin you can share a copy of a file from one device to another like images, videos, audios, and other files. This plugin also works with the cross-platform. It can use the windows browser to share files on desktop devices too. It is easy to access and does not require any extra hardware or you don't have to use any third-party application. It can be also accessed by all the devices very easily. This plugin uses your device's Bluetooth or Wi-Fi hardware to share the data. You can also transfer multiple files. It is a very useful plugin for file transfer.   async void Button_OnClick(object sender, EventArgs e) { switch (((Button)sender).StyleId) { case "Text": await CrossShare.Current.Share("Follow @jamesparro on Twitter", "Share"); break; case "Link": await CrossShare.Current.ShareLink("http://google.com", "Search any topic", "google"); break; case "Browser": await CrossShare.Current.OpenBrowser("http://google.com"); break; } } Conclusion In this blog, we mentioned few significant plugins in Xamarin. Xamarin have many useful inbuilt plugins which every tech enthusiast must know. We have also explained different plugins with their respective features as well.

Build Your Agile Team

Enter your e-mail address Please enter valid e-mail

Categories

Ensure your sustainable growth with our team

Talk to our experts
Sustainable
Sustainable
 

Blog Our insights

Next-Gen Programming Languages: Shaping the Future of Software Development in 2024
Next-Gen Programming Languages: Shaping the Future of Software Development in 2024

Introduction Imagine standing in line at the grocery store, waiting to pay for groceries. You pull out your phone and scan each item’s barcode with a single tap. This seemingly...

MySQL vs Azure SQL Database: Understanding Needs, Factors, and Performance Metrics
MySQL vs Azure SQL Database: Understanding Needs, Factors, and Performance Metrics

The world of technology is constantly changing, and databases are at the forefront of this evolution. We have explored different types of databases, both physical and cloud-based, and realized how each of them provides unique features to improve data accessibility and inclusive performance. Leading the pack are MySQL and Azure SQL database services , helping business elevate their processes to new heights.

Streamlining E-commerce Operations with Microsoft PowerApps
Streamlining E-commerce Operations with Microsoft PowerApps

In today's rapidly changing digital world, eCommerce is a dynamic industry. Every day, millions of transactions take place online, so companies are always looking for new and creative methods to improve consumer satisfaction and optimize operations.