Extensible Application Markup Language

XAML (short for Extensible Application Markup Language, and pronounced "Zammel") is the user interface markup language for the Windows Presentation Foundation, which is one of the "pillars" of the WinFX API.

XAML is a declarative XML-based language optimized for describing graphically rich visual user interfaces, such as those created by Macromedia Flash. XUL and UIML are other examples of XML-based user interface languages. SVG is another language proposed by W3C supporting graphics, animations, embedded media, events and scripted behavior which could be used as an XML-based user interface language.

In typical usage, XAML files will be produced by a visual design tool, such as Visual Studio. The resulting XML is interpreted on-the-fly by a Longhorn display subsystem which replaces the GDI in previous versions of Windows. XAML elements map to Common Language Runtime objects. Attributes map to properties or events on those objects.

XAML was designed to support the classes and methods in the .NET Framework that deal with user interaction, especially screen displays. The acronym XAML originally stood for Extensible Avalon Markup Language, Avalon being the original code name for Windows Presentation Foundation, the name for this group of .NET classes.

See also

• XUL
• ZUL
• Macromedia Flex
• OpenLaszlo
• List of user interface markup languages
• Comparison of user interface markup languages

External links

• Microsoft XAML overview
• XAML Controls from Microsoft Longhorn Developer Introduction
• (ZDNET) Mozilla, Gnome mull united front against Longhorn
• XAML used in Microsoft .NET platform
• XAMJ, open source Java based project
• United XAML Initiative - Open Source XAML Alternatives