This 88-page primer unveils the key features of Microsoft's eagerly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 contains Microsoft's revolutionary new application framework for building dynamic and responsive touch-enabled applications that target both desktops and mobile devices. Experienced author Adam Freeman invites you to take a crash course in Windows 8 development. Using the open standards of XAML and C# he ensures you understand the changes that are being made to Windows development practices and puts you on the right course to creating innovative and elegant applications for this latest evolution of the world’s most successful operating system.
This 88-page primer unveils the key features of Microsoft's eagerly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 contains Microsoft's revolutionary new application framework for building dynamic and responsive touch-enabled applications that target both desktops and mobile devices. Experienced author Adam Freeman invites you to take a crash course in Windows 8 development. Using the open standards of HTML5 and JavaScript, he ensures you understand the changes that are being made to Windows development practices and puts you on the right course to creating innovative and elegant applications for this latest evolution of the world’s most successful operating system.
The Model-View-View-Model (MVVM) pattern is held in high regard by many developers as an excellent way of creating sophisticated modern applications. It's clear seperation of presentation and business logic produces a clean implementation that promotes speed, scalability and code reuse in applications with a complex UI. These strengths have found it favor with WPF and Silverlight developers. It is now increasingly being employed for Windows 8 apps, a purpose to which it is ideally suited as this book will show. In this brief, information-rich, guide we will show you how MVVM works with both XAML (C#) and HTML5 (JavaScript) flavors of Windows 8. Beginning with a brief recap of MVVM concepts under .NET - to provide a common frame of reference - we will then delve into the details of how MVVM can best be implemented in Metro-style apps for Windows 8 and show a working application framework in each case.
“Jeremy builds real apps for real customers. That’s why I can heartily recommend this book. Go out and write some great apps...and keep this book handy.” —From the Foreword by Jeff Prosise Build Exceptionally Immersive and Responsive Touch-Based Windows Store Apps for Windows 8 with C# and XAML This is the first practical guide to building breakthrough applications for Windows 8 from project templates through publication to the new Windows Store. Microsoft “MVP of the Year” Jeremy Likness helps you combine your existing developer skills with new Visual Studio 2012 tools and best practices to create apps that are intuitive and innovative. His guidance and insight will help you dive into Windows 8 development—and gain a powerful competitive advantage for years to come. Likness illuminates the entire apps lifecycle, from planning and Model-View-View Model (MVVM) based design through coding, testing, packaging, and deployment. He covers both business and consumer apps, showing how Windows 8/WinRT development builds upon and contrasts with older WPF and Silverlight approaches. Using carefully crafted downloadable code examples and sample projects, Likness shows how to make the most of new platform features, including integrated social networking, search, contracts, charms, and tiles. Throughout, he addresses crucial development challenges that have only been discussed on MSDN, blog posts, and Twitter feeds—and never with this depth and clarity before. Coverage includes • Mastering real-world Windows 8 development for all devices and form factors • Understanding the new WinRT framework and the unique characteristics of Windows 8 apps • Designing apps that are faster, more responsive, do more with less, and maximize battery life • Creating exceptionally fluid interfaces with VS 2012 templates, built-in animations, and XAML • Building apps that respond consistently to multiple forms of input, including complex touch manipulations • Using contracts and charms to expose services or enable users to do so • Providing information to users through Live Tiles even when your app isn’t running • Connecting your app seamlessly to multiple data sources, including social networks and cloud storage • Syndicating rich, network-based content • Using Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) • Securing Windows 8 apps through authentication and authorization • Efficiently testing, debugging, packaging, and deploying apps
This 88-page primer unveils the key features of Microsoft's eagerly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 contains the revolutionary Metro application framework for building dynamic and responsive touch-enabled applications that target both desktops and mobile devices. With the official release of Windows 8 looming ever closer, experienced author Adam Freeman invites you to take a crash course in Metro development. Using XAML and C#, he ensures you understand the changes that are being made to Windows development practices and puts you on the right course to creating innovative and elegant applications for this latest evolution of the world’s most successful operating system. What you’ll learn Create and configure Metro applications Implement a touch-enabled user interface Store data and application state using the Metro persistence model Access remote data using Metro networking Package and deploy your Metro application to the app store Who this book is for This book is for early-adopters of the Windows 8 operating system working with the Consumer Preview in order to be ahead of the curve in understanding the new ways of working that the operating system introduces. Table of Contents Creating the UI Responding to the User Storage and Persistence NetworkingPackaging and Deployment These chapters are supported by a substantial stand alone code sample.
Summary Windows Store App Development introduces C# developers to working with Windows Store apps. It provides full coverage of XAML, and addresses both app design and development. Following numerous carefully crafted examples, you'll learn about new Windows 8 features, the WinRT API, and .NET 4.5. Along the way, you'll pick up tips for deploying apps, including sale through the Windows Store. And, of course, you'll find the same deep and unique insights Pete provides in his Silverlight books. About the Technology The Windows Store provides an amazing array of productivity tools, games, and other apps directly to the millions of customers already using Windows 8.x or Surface. Windows Store apps boast new features like touch and pen input, standardized app-to-app communication, and tight integration with the web. And, you can build Windows Store apps using the tools you already know: C# and XAML. About this Book Windows Store App Development introduces the Windows 8.x app model to readers familiar with traditional desktop development. You'll explore dozens of carefully crafted examples as you master Windows features, the Windows Runtime, and the best practices of app design. Along the way, you'll pick up tips for deploying apps, including selling through the Windows Store. This book requires some knowledge of C#. No experience with Windows 8 is needed. What's Inside Designing, creating, and selling Windows Store apps Developing touch and sensor-centric apps Working C# examples, from feature-level techniques to complete app design Making apps that talk to each other Mixing in C++ for even more features About the Author Pete Brown is a Developer Evangelist at Microsoft and author of Silverlight 4 in Action and Silverlight 5 in Action. Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. Table of Contents Hello, Modern Windows The Modern UI The Windows Runtime and .NET XAML Layout Panels Brushes, graphics, styles, and resources Displaying beautiful text Controls, binding, and MVVM View controls, Semantic Zoom, and navigation The app bar The splash screen, app tile, and notifications View states Contracts: playing nicely with others Working with files Asynchronous everywhere Networking with SOAP and RESTful services A chat app using sockets A little UI work: user controls and Blend Networking player location Keyboards, mice, touch, accelerometers, and gamepads App settings and suspend/resume Deploying and selling your app
Windows 8 application development is an exciting topic these days. Windows 8 introduces WinRT, the API for accessing the operating system and the underlying hardware where Metro applications run. WinRT can be accessed through multiple development languages, including C++, .NET languages and JavaScript. Developers from all backgrounds can use their skills to build beautiful and fast Windows 8 applications. Author Michael Mayberry takes you through a quick overview of this new addition in WinRT Revealed and will get you started quickly in developing Windows 8 applications in this new environment. Written at a brisk space and a no-nonsense style, you'll find exactly what you need to understand what's different in WinRT compared to what you know, and pointers on how to develop solid WinRT applications even before Windows 8's release.
"Jeremy builds real apps for real customers. That's why I can heartily recommend this book. Go out and write some great apps ... and keep this book handy."--The Foreword by Jeff Prosise Build Exceptionally Immersive and Responsive Touch-Based Windows Store Apps for Windows 8 with C# and XAML This is the first practical guide to building breakthrough applications for Windows 8 from project templates through publication to the new Windows Store. Microsoft "MVP of the Year" Jeremy Likness helps you combine your existing developer skills with new Visual Studio 2012 tools and best practices to create apps that are intuitive and innovative. His guidance and insight will help you dive into Windows 8 development-and gain a powerful competitive advantage for years to come. Likness illuminates the entire apps lifecycle, from planning and Model-View-View Model (MVVM) based design through coding, testing, packaging, and deployment. He covers both business and consumer apps, showing how Windows 8/WinRT development builds upon and contrasts with older WPF and Silverlight approaches. Using carefully crafted downloadable code examples and sample projects, Likness shows how to make the most of new platform features, including integrated social networking, search, contracts, charms, and tiles. Throughout, he addresses crucial development challenges that have only been discussed on MSDN, blog posts, and Twitter feeds-and never with this depth and clarity before. Coverage includes " Mastering real-world Windows 8 development for all devices and form factors " Understanding the new WinRT framework and the unique characteristics of Windows 8 apps " Designing apps that are faster, more responsive, do more with less, and maximize battery life " Creating exceptionally fluid interfaces with VS 2012 templates, built-in animations, and XAML " Building apps that respond consistently to multiple forms of input, including complex touch manipulations " Using contracts and charms to expose services or enable users to do so " Providing information to users through Live Tiles even when your app isn't running " Connecting your app seamlessly to multiple data sources, including social networks and cloud storage " Syndicating rich, network-based content " Using Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) " Securing Windows 8 apps through authentication and authorization " Efficiently testing, debugging, packaging, and deploying apps
