XAML
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XAML (short for Extensible Application Markup Language, and pronounced "Zammel") is the user interface markup language for the Windows Presentation Foundation, which is one of the "pillars" of the .NET Framework 3.0 API.
XAML is a declarative XML-based language optimized for describing graphically rich visual user interfaces, such as those created by Macromedia Flash. XUL and UIML are other examples of XML-based user interface languages. SVG is another language proposed by W3C supporting graphics, animations, embedded media, events and scripted behavior which could be used as an XML-based user interface language providing widgets are built and event manager implemented.
In typical usage, XAML files will be produced by visual design and developer tools, such as Microsoft Expression Interactive Designer or Microsoft Visual Studio. The resulting XML is compiled into a .baml file, which is inserted as a resource into a .NET Framework assembly. At run-time, the WPF engine extracts the .baml file from assembly resources, parses it, and creates a corresponding WPF Visual Tree.
XAML elements map to Common Language Runtime object instances. Attributes map to WPF bindings, CLR properties and events on those objects.
XAML was designed to support the classes and methods in the .NET Framework that deal with user interaction, especially screen displays. The acronym XAML originally stood for Extensible Avalon Markup Language, Avalon being the original code name for Windows Presentation Foundation, the name for this group of .NET classes.
Hello world example
The following is a very simple XAML page, a version of the classic "Hello world" example.Hello world!
See also
- XUL
- ZUL
- Macromedia Flex
- OpenLaszlo
- List of user interface markup languages
- Comparison of user interface markup languages
External links
- [Microsoft XAML overview]
- [XAML Controls from Microsoft Longhorn Developer Introduction]
- [XAML used in Microsoft .NET platform]
- [XAMJ, open source Java based project]
- [United XAML Initiative] - Open Source XAML Alternatives
- [Shaxam] - LightWave to XAML converter
- [XAML page on WinFXGuide.com] A selection of categorized resources on XAML.
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