In this chapter, we learned how to download and install the Visual Studio for Mac IDE, along with the Xamarin Platform SDKs. We then explored the Visual Studio for Mac IDE environment and how we can use the Preferences pane to customize the look and feel of the Visual Studio for Mac IDE. Next, we looked at how to configure and include additional .NET Runtimes, as well as how to go about defining your Android and iOS SDK locations. We also learned about the Xamarin mobile platform and the benefits of developing native versus Xamarin.Forms apps using it.
We then learned how to create a cross-platform Xamarin project for both iOS and Android platforms, create the user interface using the XAML syntax, then write the C# code that will be used to communicate with the XAML to populate the ListView control with planet names, before launching this in the iOS simulator.
Next, we learned how to set Breakpoints, as well as create conditional Breakpoints in your code; we learned how to use the Breakpoints Pad to view all existing Breakpoints that have been set in your PlanetaryApp solution.
Finally, we learned about the built-in debugger in the Visual Studio for Mac IDE, and how you can step through your code and use the Immediate window to print the contents of your variables. In the next chapter, you will learn how to build a Photo Library app using Xamarin.Android and C#.
