Xamarin Forms design namespace

Question

I am new to Xamarin and XAML and looking at some example codes I see two namespaces which are similar xmlns="http://xamarin.com/schemas/2014/forms" xmlns:d="http://xamarin.com/schemas/2014/forms/design" What is the difference ? , does one encompass the other ? . Also where could I find documentation to define where and when I should use a specific namespace and not the other or both.

Answer 1

Hello,​

Welcome to our Microsoft Q&A platform!

The xmlns:d namespace could be used to show the fake data for the controls in the XAML Previewer. When using binding to populate the data to views in Xamarin.Forms, it's hard to visualize without data in preview. That may be not convenient when coding. Design time data is fake data you set to make your controls easier to visualize in the XAML Previewer.

For example, you can add text to a label that usually has data bound to it.

   <Label Text="{Binding Name}" d:Text="Name!" />  

For more details, you could check the following tutorial:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/xamarin/xamarin-forms/xaml/xaml-previewer/design-time-data

Best Regards,

Jarvan Zhang

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