NovellXamarin

Novell Xamarin, now known as **Xamarin**, was a software development company specializing in cross-platform mobile app development tools. Originally developed by Xamarin Inc., the platform was later acquired by Microsoft in 2016, becoming part of its broader developer ecosystem.

Xamarin provided developers with the ability to build native mobile applications for Android, iOS, and Windows using the C# programming language. Its flagship product, Xamarin.Forms, allowed developers to create shared user interfaces while maintaining platform-specific performance and native behaviors. This approach reduced development time and resource requirements compared to building separate apps for each platform.

Prior to its acquisition, Xamarin had strong ties to Novell, an open-source software company. In 2011, Novell sold Xamarin to Cerner Corporation, which later spun it off as an independent entity. The platform gained popularity among enterprises and startups looking for efficient cross-platform development solutions.

After Microsoft’s acquisition, Xamarin was integrated into its Visual Studio suite, expanding its reach and aligning it with Microsoft’s cloud services, including Azure. This move strengthened Microsoft’s position in the mobile development market and provided developers with deeper integration between tools and platforms.

Xamarin’s tools included Xamarin.Android, Xamarin.iOS, and Xamarin.Mac, which allowed developers to compile native code for each respective platform while sharing business logic. The platform also supported third-party libraries and frameworks, enhancing its flexibility.

Today, Xamarin continues to evolve under Microsoft, now rebranded as **.NET MAUI** (Multi-platform App UI) for modern cross-platform development. While Xamarin remains a legacy reference, its legacy influences modern cross-platform app development strategies.