Howto: Exchange data from network to mobile app
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Hi Just started on a test project to see how to access data on the company network in a mobile app. Short I have some data logged into a SQL table that I want to display/access on a phone (both Android and iPhone). So inspired from something I worked on some years ago and some google'ing I made a WCF service and are trying to access it in Xamarin. BUT... I am now in doubt if what I am doing is the best way to do it? I have just read that WCF is dead and I am not sure if Xamarin is also dead. So before using to much time running in the wrong direction... Is WCF the best way to go, or what should I use? Same with Xamarin - better alternative? I hope this is not to stupid a question that have been asked a zillion times and I just havn't stumpled across it.... Thanks in advance :-) //David
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Hi Just started on a test project to see how to access data on the company network in a mobile app. Short I have some data logged into a SQL table that I want to display/access on a phone (both Android and iPhone). So inspired from something I worked on some years ago and some google'ing I made a WCF service and are trying to access it in Xamarin. BUT... I am now in doubt if what I am doing is the best way to do it? I have just read that WCF is dead and I am not sure if Xamarin is also dead. So before using to much time running in the wrong direction... Is WCF the best way to go, or what should I use? Same with Xamarin - better alternative? I hope this is not to stupid a question that have been asked a zillion times and I just havn't stumpled across it.... Thanks in advance :-) //David
WCF isn't dead as such - there's even an open-source port for .NET Core/5/6/…[^] which is being actively developed - but I believe all the "cool kids" are using gRPC[^] these days. :) Similarly, whilst Xamarin isn't going away any time soon, the next MS bandwagon seems to be .NET MAUI[^].
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer
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Hi Just started on a test project to see how to access data on the company network in a mobile app. Short I have some data logged into a SQL table that I want to display/access on a phone (both Android and iPhone). So inspired from something I worked on some years ago and some google'ing I made a WCF service and are trying to access it in Xamarin. BUT... I am now in doubt if what I am doing is the best way to do it? I have just read that WCF is dead and I am not sure if Xamarin is also dead. So before using to much time running in the wrong direction... Is WCF the best way to go, or what should I use? Same with Xamarin - better alternative? I hope this is not to stupid a question that have been asked a zillion times and I just havn't stumpled across it.... Thanks in advance :-) //David
WEB API is a better choice for simpler, lightweight services. WEB API can use any text format including XML and is faster than WCF. WEB API can be used to create full-blown REST Services.
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Hi Just started on a test project to see how to access data on the company network in a mobile app. Short I have some data logged into a SQL table that I want to display/access on a phone (both Android and iPhone). So inspired from something I worked on some years ago and some google'ing I made a WCF service and are trying to access it in Xamarin. BUT... I am now in doubt if what I am doing is the best way to do it? I have just read that WCF is dead and I am not sure if Xamarin is also dead. So before using to much time running in the wrong direction... Is WCF the best way to go, or what should I use? Same with Xamarin - better alternative? I hope this is not to stupid a question that have been asked a zillion times and I just havn't stumpled across it.... Thanks in advance :-) //David
Xamarin is a tool in the Cross-Platform Mobile Development and most of the time I have used this one only. It is also the faster way to build iOS, Android, and Windows apps. So, I would prefer this mode only.
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Hi Just started on a test project to see how to access data on the company network in a mobile app. Short I have some data logged into a SQL table that I want to display/access on a phone (both Android and iPhone). So inspired from something I worked on some years ago and some google'ing I made a WCF service and are trying to access it in Xamarin. BUT... I am now in doubt if what I am doing is the best way to do it? I have just read that WCF is dead and I am not sure if Xamarin is also dead. So before using to much time running in the wrong direction... Is WCF the best way to go, or what should I use? Same with Xamarin - better alternative? I hope this is not to stupid a question that have been asked a zillion times and I just havn't stumpled across it.... Thanks in advance :-) //David
If you want to replace WCF then the best option left for you is gRPC and Web API. The WCF is more adaptable to work for multiple software.
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Hi Just started on a test project to see how to access data on the company network in a mobile app. Short I have some data logged into a SQL table that I want to display/access on a phone (both Android and iPhone). So inspired from something I worked on some years ago and some google'ing I made a WCF service and are trying to access it in Xamarin. BUT... I am now in doubt if what I am doing is the best way to do it? I have just read that WCF is dead and I am not sure if Xamarin is also dead. So before using to much time running in the wrong direction... Is WCF the best way to go, or what should I use? Same with Xamarin - better alternative? I hope this is not to stupid a question that have been asked a zillion times and I just havn't stumpled across it.... Thanks in advance :-) //David
To exchange data between a network and a mobile app, use these steps:
Backend API: Set up a RESTful or GraphQL API on the server to handle requests.
HTTP Requests: The mobile app sends HTTP requests (GET, POST) to the API endpoints.
Data Processing: The server processes the requests and sends back responses in formats like JSON or XML.
Parsing Data: The mobile app parses the received data and updates the user interface or stores it locally.