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C++ vs Xamarin: What are the differences?

Introduction Xamarin and C++ are both popular programming languages used for developing software applications. While they have several similarities, they also have key differences that set them apart.

  1. Syntax and Language Features: One major difference between C++ and Xamarin is the syntax and language features they offer. C++ is a statically typed language that allows low-level programming and provides a high degree of control over memory management. On the other hand, Xamarin uses C# syntax and offers higher-level abstractions, making it easier to develop applications and handle memory management.

  2. Platform-Specific Development: Another significant difference between C++ and Xamarin is the target platform for development. C++ can be used to develop applications for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even embedded systems. Xamarin, on the other hand, is primarily used for cross-platform development and focuses on creating applications for iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices.

  3. Development Tools and IDE: C++ development often involves using tools like Code::Blocks or Visual Studio for coding and debugging. Xamarin, on the other hand, provides a dedicated IDE called Xamarin Studio (now merged into Visual Studio) that offers extensive features for cross-platform development, including integrated debugging, code completion, and UI design tools.

  4. Performance and Efficiency: When it comes to performance and efficiency, C++ has an edge over Xamarin. C++ code can be optimized for specific hardware architectures, leading to faster execution and reduced memory consumption. Xamarin, being a cross-platform framework, introduces a slight overhead due to the additional layer of abstraction, resulting in slightly lower performance compared to natively coded applications.

  5. Ecosystem and Community Support: C++ has a rich ecosystem and a large community of developers actively contributing to its libraries and frameworks. There is a vast range of third-party libraries and tools available for C++ development, which makes it easier to integrate with existing systems. Xamarin, while having a smaller community compared to C++, benefits from the extensive .NET ecosystem and community support, providing access to a wide range of libraries and frameworks.

  6. Learning Curve and Development Time: Learning C++ can be challenging due to its complex syntax and low-level programming concepts. It requires a deep understanding of memory management and pointer arithmetic. Xamarin, on the other hand, utilizes C# syntax and leverages the .NET ecosystem, which is considered easier to learn and understand. This can result in shorter development times for Xamarin projects compared to C++.

In summary, C++ and Xamarin differ in terms of syntax, platform support, tools, performance, ecosystem, and learning curve. While C++ offers more control and platform flexibility, Xamarin provides a higher level of abstraction and ease of development, especially for cross-platform mobile applications.

Decisions about C++ and Xamarin
Russtopia Labs
Sr. Doodad Imagineer at Russtopia Labs · | 0 upvote · 211.8K views

As a personal research project I wanted to add post-quantum crypto KEM (key encapsulation) algorithms and new symmetric crypto session algorithms to openssh. I found the openssh code and its channel/context management extremely complex.

Concurrently, I was learning Go. It occurred to me that Go's excellent standard library, including crypto libraries, plus its much safer memory model and string/buffer handling would be better suited to a secure remote shell solution. So I started from scratch, writing a clean-room Go-based solution, without regard for ssh compatibility. Interactive and token-based login, secure copy and tunnels.

Of course, it needs a proper security audit for side channel attacks, protocol vulnerabilities and so on -- but I was impressed by how much simpler a client-server application with crypto and complex terminal handling was in Go.

$ sloc openssh-portable 
  Languages  Files    Code  Comment  Blank   Total  CodeLns
      Total    502  112982    14327  15705  143014   100.0%
          C    389  105938    13349  14416  133703    93.5%
      Shell     92    6118      937   1129    8184     5.7%
       Make     16     468       37    131     636     0.4%
        AWK      1     363        0      7     370     0.3%
        C++      3      79        4     18     101     0.1%
       Conf      1      16        0      4      20     0.0%
$ sloc xs
  Languages  Files  Code  Comment  Blank  Total  CodeLns
      Total     34  3658     1231    655   5544   100.0%
         Go     19  3230     1199    507   4936    89.0%
   Markdown      2   181        0     76    257     4.6%
       Make      7   148        4     50    202     3.6%
       YAML      1    39        0      5     44     0.8%
       Text      1    30        0      7     37     0.7%
     Modula      1    16        0      2     18     0.3%
      Shell      3    14       28      8     50     0.9%

https://gogs.blitter.com/RLabs/xs

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Pros of C++
Pros of Xamarin
  • 202
    Performance
  • 107
    Control over memory allocation
  • 98
    Cross-platform
  • 97
    Fast
  • 84
    Object oriented
  • 58
    Industry standard
  • 47
    Smart pointers
  • 37
    Templates
  • 16
    Gui toolkits
  • 16
    Raii
  • 13
    Generic programming
  • 13
    Control
  • 13
    Flexibility
  • 11
    Metaprogramming
  • 9
    Hardcore
  • 5
    Many large libraries
  • 5
    Simple
  • 5
    Full-fledged containers/collections API
  • 4
    Large number of Libraries
  • 4
    Performant multi-paradigm language
  • 3
    Way too complicated
  • 1
    Close to Reality
  • 1
    Plenty of useful features
  • 121
    Power of c# on mobile devices
  • 81
    Native performance
  • 79
    Native apps with native ui controls
  • 73
    No javascript - truely compiled code
  • 67
    Sharing more than 90% of code over all platforms
  • 45
    Ability to leverage visual studio
  • 44
    Mvvm pattern
  • 44
    Many great c# libraries
  • 36
    Amazing support
  • 34
    Powerful platform for .net developers
  • 19
    GUI Native look and Feel
  • 16
    Nuget package manager
  • 12
    Free
  • 9
    Backed by Microsoft
  • 9
    Enables code reuse on server
  • 8
    Faster Development
  • 7
    Use of third-party .NET libraries
  • 7
    It's free since Apr 2016
  • 7
    Best performance than other cross-platform
  • 7
    Easy Debug and Trace
  • 7
    Open Source
  • 6
    Mac IDE (Xamarin Studio)
  • 6
    Xamarin.forms is the best, it's amazing
  • 5
    That just work for every scenario
  • 5
    C# mult paradigm language
  • 5
    Power of C#, no javascript, visual studio
  • 4
    Great docs
  • 4
    Compatible to develop Hybrid apps
  • 4
    Microsoft stack
  • 4
    Microsoft backed
  • 3
    Well Designed
  • 3
    Small learning curve for Mobile developers
  • 2
    Ionic
  • 2
    Ability to leverage legacy C and C++

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Cons of C++
Cons of Xamarin
  • 8
    Slow compilation
  • 8
    Unsafe
  • 6
    Over-complicated
  • 6
    Fragile ABI
  • 5
    No standard/mainstream dependency management
  • 4
    Templates mess with compilation units
  • 3
    Too low level for most tasks
  • 1
    Compile time features are a mess
  • 1
    Template metaprogramming is insane
  • 1
    Segfaults
  • 1
    Unreal engine
  • 9
    Build times
  • 5
    Visual Studio
  • 4
    Price
  • 3
    Complexity
  • 3
    Scalability
  • 2
    Nuget
  • 2
    Maturity
  • 2
    Build Tools
  • 2
    Support
  • 0
    Maturidade
  • 0
    Performance

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What is C++?

C++ compiles directly to a machine's native code, allowing it to be one of the fastest languages in the world, if optimized.

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 C++?
What companies use Xamarin?
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What tools integrate with C++?
What tools integrate with Xamarin?

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