Open XAML File

XAML, an acronym for Extensible Application Markup Language, is a declarative XML-based language developed by Microsoft. It is commonly utilized for creating and initializing .NET objects; importantly, it is a key element in Windows application development, primarily found in Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Universal Windows Platform (UWP), and Xamarin Forms.

XAML in WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation)

WPF uses XAML to provide a declarative model for application programming. With this, developers can design WPF applications, create user interfaces, animations, and more. To open a XAML file in a WPF application, Visual Studio software can be utilized. The software allows you to write XAML code manually or use the design view to edit interfaces graphically. More about it can be found at Visual Studio's website.

XAML in Xamarin Forms

In Xamarin Forms, XAML is primarily used for defining user interfaces in a cross-platform environment. To use XAML in Xamarin Forms, you can again lean on the Visual Studio software. For Xamarin Forms, there is also an option to use a live player that allows you to directly view the XAML file results on multiple devices simultaneously. Further details on this functionality are available at Microsoft's Xamarin Live Player documentation.

XAML in UWP (Universal Windows Platform)

For Universal Windows Platform application development, XAML files offer a way to define and create UI elements for broad distribution across Windows 10 devices. Opening and using XAML files within UWP is made simple through the use of Visual Studio, which provides syntactic coloration, auto-completion, and other features to help generate your XAML UI easily. Learn more from the official UWP design documentation.

XAML File Important Information

In conclusion, XAML files are a critical part of Windows application development that play a significant role in UI design and functions. Despite being primarily associated with Visual Studio, it's important to remember that XAML is more than just a tool, it's a system for defining and developing complex interfaces. By understanding these elements of XAML, developers can make the most out of this aspect of Windows application development.

How to open XAML files

Typical XAML application file locations:

  • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\PresentationHost.exe "%1" %*
  • "C:\Windows\System32\PresentationHost.exe" "%1" %*

Typical XAML mime types:

  • application/xaml+xml

Frequently associated Windows objects:

  • Windows.XamlDocument

Related extensions