Mastering Windows 8 C App Development

A practical guide to developing Windows Store apps with C++ and XAML Overview Details the most important features of C++, XAML, and WinRT for building fantastic Windows Store apps Full of detailed and engaging code samples that can be used as a basis for your own projects Provides a clear overview of Windows Runtime and C++/CX In Detail Windows 8 provides an unprecedented opportunity for developers to create applications for a new and exciting platform, for an entirely new market. Leveraging modern C++ and the new Windows Runtime, this book guides you through the many facets of WinRT whilst using modern C++ features for ultimate power and performance. "Mastering Windows 8 C++ App Development" shows you how to create Windows Store apps that use many of the new features and functionality available for Windows 8. You'll discover how you can harness the power of the new Windows Runtime with C++ combined with XAML for the creation of fantastic user experiences. Starting with coverage of C++/CX (a set of extensions that make working with WinRT easier) and user interface design with XAML, this book shows you how to use major Windows 8 features, including Live Tiles and Contracts, while leveraging common patterns such as data binding and the Model View ViewModel (MVVM). You'll discover how WinRT works, its various capabilities, and how it can best be leveraged using C++11 and Visual Studio 2012. What you will learn from this book Leverage your existing C++ skills with this new and exciting platform Discover how to effectively use C++/CX to call Windows Runtime APIs Integrate XAML for fast and fluid user interfaces Create custom controls for special UI scenarios Learn how to integrate your application with Windows 8 by implementing contracts Build data-driven apps with XAML, data binding, and MVVM Approach Specifically designed to be an engaging and practical tutorial, Mastering Windows 8 C++ App Development will augment your skills and help you create high quality Windows Store apps. Who this book is written for If you are a C++ developer who wants to utilize the combined power of COM, WinRT, C++/CX, and XAML to build Store apps for the new Windows 8 platform, then this book is for you. Prior experience with XAML-based technologies is not required.

Specifically designed to be an engaging and practical tutorial, Mastering Windows 8 C++ App Development will augment your skills and help you create high quality Windows Store apps.If you are a C++ developer who wants to utilize the combined power of COM, WinRT, C++/CX, and XAML to build Store apps for the new Windows 8 platform, then this book is for you. Prior experience with XAML-based technologies is not required.

Learn to use exciting new development tools and create applications for Windows 8 If you're a beginning developer, there's no better place to get up to speed on the Windows 8 SDK than this Wrox guide. A team of Microsoft experts provides a complete course in Windows 8 programming, helping you take full advantage of the innovative new SDK. Written in an easy-to-read style, this book is packed with reusable examples that showcase the endless possibilities of the Windows SDK and also introduces the new Windows 8 app store. It explains how to set up the development environment and covers user interface design, using special effects and graphics, working with C# and C++, and much more. Provides a complete introduction to the Windows SDK and Windows 8, starting with setting up the development environment and building your first application Covers user interface design, touch- and event-driven design elements, leveraging windows-based services, and offline application development with HTML 5 Explores creating C# applications for the Windows 8 system, XNA 4 and Silverlight 5 considerations, and the role of C++ Shows how to debug, certify and deploy your applications Introduces the new Windows 8 app store and offers advice on marketing your apps Beginning Windows 8 Application Development is perfect for anyone who's ready to get started developing apps for the exciting new Windows 8 OS.

“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

The fast and easy guide for creating Windows 8 apps using popular technologies! This book offers a primer for building HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript applications for Windows 8. It includes an up-to-date guide for dusting off an aging HTML skill set and adapting to the Windows 8 apps and provides a reference for Windows and .NET programmers not familiar with HTML5. The overall design principles of MetroUI (the new design paradigm for Windows) are discussed. The book also addresses visual design with HTML and CSS, which are the visual design languages to bring MetroUI applications to the screen. Finally, there is a section on using JavaScript for inter- and intra-functional components. Contains the design principles for MetroUI, the new design paradigm for Windows The author is an enterprise architect, seasoned programmer and web developer who specializes in implementing Microsoft solutions at his client sites Shows how to develop HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript applications for Windows 8 This is the ideal resource for current Microsoft developers who need a primer or refresher for developing in HTML and JavaScript for Windows.

Building Windows 8 Apps with JavaScript is the definitive guide for every experienced developer who wants to create, ship, and profit from Windows 8 apps built with HTML5 and JavaScript. Written by Chris Sells, former Visual Studio Principal Program Manager who led the team that built Microsoft’s official Windows 8 JavaScript app templates, and Brandon Satrom, expert web/mobile developer, this book covers every facet of development with Microsoft’s new JavaScript framework and WinRT. The authors guide you through building full-featured Windows Store apps that merge the best aspects of desktop, web, and mobile apps into a single user and developer experience. You’ll learn how to leverage the full power of the Windows 8 platform and integrate services ranging from client-side state to offline storage. Leveraging these techniques, you can deliver information to users faster, more clearly, and more concisely, on whatever devices they prefer. Through complete example projects, Building Windows 8 Apps with JavaScript covers Understanding powerful new improvements in Windows 8 developer experience Using Windows 8’s more flexible binding to update the UI as underlying data changes Creating layouts and typography that fit Windows 8 style and leverage its advantages Working with audio, video, captured media, animation, and HTML5 graphics Making your app “connectable” with PlayTo Integrating WinJS navigation services to improve UI control Maintaining app states built up over time, and sharing them across devices Writing highly responsive async apps Supporting true-touch metaphors and interactions, location data, and sensors Designing apps for the Windows 8 design language Extending JavaScript code to integrate existing C/C++ code or to access Windows capabilities that WinRT doesn’t expose Discovering best practices for monetizing Windows Store apps All of the downloadable examples can be created and run with Microsoft’s free Visual Studio 2012 Express for Windows 8, which includes all you need to build, package, and deploy your Windows Store apps.

Annotation If you want to build Windows 8 applications for desktops and the forthcoming Microsoft Surface tablet PC, this book will show you how to work with the Metro design language and the Windows RT operating system. You'll learn this new landscape step-by-step, including the minute system details and design specifications necessary to innovate and build a variety of Windows 8 apps. It's ideal for .NET developers who use C♯. Throughout the book, you'll follow one app from idea to the Windows Store to understand what's involved in every step of the process. You'll learn how to create in-app purchases, link with social networks, and incorporate the charm bar, which opens the Windows 8 start screen. Get a jump on developers looking to cash in on the demand for Windows 8 apps. Order your copy of Programming Metro-Style Applications with C♯ today.

Real World Windows 8 App Development with JavaScript offers you practical advice and hard-earned insights that will help you create and publish apps to a worldwide market. Led by authors with deep Windows 8 app development experience, you’ll learn how to make the most of Microsoft’s APIs for hooking into Windows 8 on all devices, including the core ideas of promises and the asynchronous programming model. You’ll also discover such important tips as how to Adhere to Windows 8 guidelines for successful app acceptance Extend the appeal of your app with media, contracts, charms, and user notifications Capture and work with media, including the ability to play video wirelessly to a television Manage background processing and file transfers Gain visibility for your app and add monetization options Get the lowdown from authors with experience from the front lines of Windows 8 app development. Theory is all well and good, but when it comes down to it, you can’t beat practical advice from people who’ve been there and done it! You’ll come away from this book with all the tools, ideas, and inspiration you need to create successful Windows 8 JavaScript apps. Development with JavaScript features real-world examples that emphasize the use of JavaScript and HTML 5 and that also adhere to the stylistic guidelines Microsoft has put in place to maintain a consistent look and feel for all applications on this platform. What you’ll learn The fundamentals of the asynchronous programming model Integrating your app with the Windows 8 system Working with and capturing media Extending your app with contracts and charms Giving users notifications Monetization and certification Who this book is for This book is for JavaScript developers wanting to create applications for sale in the Windows 8 app store. Developers should have a good knowledge of HTML5 and JavaScript, but no previous Windows 8 app development knowledge is required. Table of Contents The Windows 8 Ethos and Environment Getting the Basics Right Incorporating Layout and Controls Navigating the Media Maze Making the Most Out of Charms and Contracts Solving the Printing Problem Providing Clear Notifications Keeping Apps Running the the Background Monetizing Your App: The Lowdown Getting your App on the Windows Store