What is XAML in WPF? Explained with Simple Examples

In this article, we’ll dive into one of the core building blocks of WPF — XAML. We’ll explore how it works and why it plays such an important role in building modern desktop applications.

What is XAML?

XAML stands for eXtensible Application Markup Language. It’s a markup language used to design the user interface in WPF applications. XAML allows developers and designers to work separately, making the code cleaner and easier to manage. Think of it as HTML for WPF apps.

XAML Syntax

XAML uses XML-style syntax. Every UI element is an XML tag. Attributes define properties like height, width, and content. You can also nest elements inside others to create more complex layouts. For example, placing a TextBlock inside a Grid layout.

<Grid>

    <TextBlock Text="Hello, WPF World!" 

               Width="200" 

               Height="50" 

               HorizontalAlignment="Center" 

               VerticalAlignment="Center" 

               FontSize="16" 

               Foreground="Blue"/>

</Grid>


Explanation:

<Grid> → The parent layout container.

<TextBlock> → The child element (nested inside the Grid).

Text, Width, Height, FontSize, Foreground → These are attributes that set properties of the TextBlock.

Nesting inside <Grid> shows how you can create more complex layouts.

Code-Behind vs XAML

In WPF, you can write your UI in XAML and link it with C# code in what's called the code-behind file. This separation of layout and logic improves code organization. XAML handles how your app looks, and the code-behind handles how it behaves.

XAML File (MainWindow.xaml)

<Window x:Class="WpfApp.MainWindow"
        xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
        Title="XAML and Code-Behind Example" Height="200" Width="300">
    <Grid>
        <Button Content="Click Me" 
                Width="100" Height="40" 
                HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center"
                Click="Button_Click"/>
    </Grid>
</Window>

Code-Behind File (MainWindow.xaml.cs)


using System.Windows;

namespace WpfApp
{
    public partial class MainWindow : Window
    {
        public MainWindow()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        private void Button_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
        {
            MessageBox.Show("Hello from Code-Behind!");
        }
    }
}

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