XAML, the Extensible Application Markup Language is the programming language used to define the look or presentation of an application. It was developed by Microsoft as an approach to define and enhance the way the user interfaces are developed because earlier there were frameworks like WinForms where it was required that the GUI was created in the same language as the code behind that was being used to interact with the GUI like .NET or C#. But with XAML, which is the XML based markup language, one can easily create and edit the UIs very much similar to user interface development with HTML. Initially created to define the user interfaces in WPF, XAML is now being used even for Silverlight and declaring workflows in Windows Workflow Foundation.

With XAML, one can design rich internet applications and attractive GUIs for desktop applications within least possible time and using much lesser efforts. Lesser efforts than it would be required for developing the interface using a coding language something like C#. Yes, because what can be done with XAML in much shorter and simpler way would require more efforts for longer coding in a programming language like C#.

Apart from this there are various reasons that make XAML, the choice of the designers for UI development. They are as follows.

Design and Code are Different Things
With XAML, the code or the logic behind the application can be completely isolated from the presentation of it. Hence, the presentation and logic are two different things here. Any changes to presentation can be made easily without having to do changes in the logic or functional coding of the application. So, lot of time would be saved.

Supports Scalable Vector Graphics
One of the best things of using this XML based programming language is that it supports scalable vector graphics and transformations. Hence, you can now have graphics and images that are scalable across various screen resolutions. These graphics or images can scale to any size without losing their quality. So, you get better image and graphical quality for your GUI.

Easy Construction and Placement of Controls
Construction and placement of controls in GUI becomes easy with XAML. Unlike Windows Forms, where the controls required explicit specification about rows and columns for their placement, XAML does this very easily and automatically with the help of Stack control and Wrap Panel controls. One can even construct new control within an existing ones by using the nesting technique.

Customize the Controls with Styling and Templates
Similar to CSS and HTML, one can use styling and templates for customizing the appearance of the controls at different levels with this XML based GUI design language. It’s easy doing this as no major changes in procedure would be required to make and moreover one change can reflect through the entire UI.

Native Techniques for Animation & Video Display
There is no need to use any third party tools for animation or video display. XAML supports native techniques for the purpose.

No Need for Flash
Developers can now produce attractive visual effects without using Flash with XAML, which is possible to compile and supports Longhorn graphics subsystem.

Resolution Independence
The app developed with XAML will look perfect on any screen resolution because the size values are not defined in pixels but they are device-independent units.

Adaptability
XAML based application can easily adapt to any Windows based platform or device whether it is Windows Phone, Windows Desktop, Windows Embedded etc.

Therefore, with so many features and advantages to enjoy, using XAML for user interface development is definitely a better idea.

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