Professional Windows 8 Programming: Application Development with C# and Xaml

Description

It is an exciting time to be a Windows developer. The arrival of Windows 8 is a complete game changer. The operating system and its development platform offer you an entirely new way to create rich, full-featured Windows-based applications. This team of authors takes you on a journey through all of the new development features of the Windows 8 platform specifically how to utilize Visual Studio 2012 and the XAML/C# languages to produce robust apps that are ready for deployment in the new Windows Store. Professional Windows 8 Programming: Learn how to utilize XAML to create rich content driven user interfaces Make use of the new AppBar to create a chrome-less menu system See how to support Sensors and Geo-location on Windows 8 devices Integrate your app into the Windows 8 ecosystem with Contracts and Extensions Walks you through the new Windows 8 navigation system for multi-page apps Minimize code with Data Binding and MVVM design patterns Features tips on getting your app ready for the Windows store Maximize revenue for your app by learning about available monetization strategies Professional Windows® 8 Programming: Application Development with C# and XAML Copyright About The Authors About The Technical Editors Credits Acknowledgments Contents Introduction Chapter 1: A Glimpse into the Future The Game Changer What Makes Windows 8 Different? Understanding Windows 8: The Zune Concept Windows Phone 7 Carry-overs Getting Around in Windows 8 The Login Screen The Start Screen The Search Feature Application Life Cycle Accessing Desktop Mode Windows Store App Development Hello Windows 8 Selecting a Language and Default Folders Building a Simple Windows Store App Setting App Capabilities What About HTML Developers? Types of Windows Store Apps Grid Applications Split Applications Creating a Split Application Summary Chapter 2: What Is XAML? A Quick XAML History Lesson XAML Basics XAML in Visual Studio 2012 Controls for Windows 8 Layout Controls Action Controls Summary Chapter 3: Enhancing Your Apps with Control Styles, Data Binding, and Semantic Zoom Customizing Your Apps Styling Controls Understanding Basic Styling Referencing Styles Across an App Using Microsoft's Default Styles Data Binding Understanding Basic Data Entry Binding Objects to the User Interface Updating Data with Two-Way Data Binding Data Binding Summary Windows 8 Data Binding Controls ComboBox ListBox ListView GridView Grouped GridView Using SemanticZoom Using Custom Controls Summary Chapter 4: Windows 8 User Interface Final Touches Application Bars, Notifications, Splash Screens, and Live Tiles Working with the App Bar Creating the Top App Bar Navigation Wiring Up the App Pages Adding Filtering Capability Adding Finishing Touches to the App Adding Notifications Understanding Templates A Toast Example Creating Live Tiles Available Tile Templates Live Tiles Example Splash Screen Summary Chapter 5: Application Life Cycle Applications Reborn What Is the Windows 8 Life Cycle? App Launch App Activation App Resume App Close Background Operations Triggers and Conditions Lock Screen Progress Reporting Debugging Deadlock Summary Chapter 6: Handling Data, Files, and Networking Getting Started with Data, Files, and Networking Handling Application Data and Files Getting Started with the Data Samples App Understanding Windows.Storage API Working with Data and Files Locations File Access Permissions Local Settings and Application Data Roaming Settings and Application Data Temporary Application Data Versioning Application Data Clearing Application Data Displaying Pictures Library Content Selecting Files: User Experience Tracking Files and Folders Serializing and Deserializing Data Data Encryption and Decryption Networking Establishing Socket Connectivity Data Transfers Activating Proximity and Tapping Syndicated Content Accessing Network Information Example: Leaderboard App Summary Chapter 7: Sensors Windows Sensor Platform Hardware for the Sensor Platform Windows Sensor Platform Overview Using the 3-D Accelerometer Using the 3-D Compass Using the Compass Class Calculating True North Headings Using the 3-D Gyrometer Using the Inclinometer Using the Ambient Light Sensor Using the Orientation Sensors Using the OrientationSensor Class Using the SimpleOrientationSensor Class Summary Chapter 8: Geolocation What Is Geolocation? Geolocation in Windows 8 Using the Geolocator Class Understanding the CivicAddress Class Using the Bing Maps SDK Referencing the Bing Maps SDK Using the Bing.Maps.Map Class Using Pushpins on the Map Adding Traffic Information Getting Directions Enabling Directions with Pushpins Summary Chapter 9: Application Contracts and Extensions App Contracts and Extensions Using the File Picker Contract Selecting a Single File Selecting Multiple Files Selecting Files from Windows Store Apps Debugging File Picker Activation Using the Cached File Updater Contract Using the Play to Contract Introducing the PlayToManager Class Testing PlayTo Scenarios Using the Search Contract Using the Settings Contract Using the Share Contract Introducing the DataTransferManager Class DataTransferManager.DataRequested DataTransferManager.TargetApplicationChosen Share Contract Scenarios Using the Account Picture Provider Extension Using the AutoPlay Extension Using the Background Tasks Extension Using Push Notifications Using Background Tasks Using the Camera Settings Extension Using the Contact Picker Extension Using the File Activation Extension Implementing the File Activation Extension Debugging File Activation Using the Game Explorer Extension Using the Print Task Settings Extension Using the Protocol Activation Extension Activating the Maps App Making the Required Declarations Debugging Protocol Activation Using SSL/Certificates Extension Summary Chapter 10: Windows Store Application Architecture Best Practices for Your Apps Understanding MVVM Locating ViewModels Refactoring the Artist Browser Instantiating a ViewModelLocator Removing DefaultViewModel Simplifying the Models Using Commands to Handle Input Using MVVM Frameworks Understanding MVVM Light Messaging in MVVM Light Summary Chapter 11: Windows Store and Monetization Windows Store Overview How Consumers See Your App App Discovery Making the First Good Impression Promoting Your App Selling Your Apps Windows Store Economics Windows Store API Overview Getting Started with the Color Shopping App Supporting Trials In-App Purchases Adding Advertisements Summary: The Economics of Monetizing Your App Application Packaging Preparing your app in Visual Studio Packaging Apps Using a Command Line Packaging Enterprise Line-of-Business (LOB) Apps Testing with Windows App Certification Kit Understanding Windows Store Certification Requirements Summary Chapter 12: Putting It All Together: Building a Windows Store Application Welcome to the Final Chapter of the Book Designing the Wrox BookStore App Displaying Wrox Press Books Adding a Wish List across Devices Diving into the Code Getting Ready for MVVM Creating Sample Data Creating the Home Page Configuring the XAML Updating the ViewModel Finishing the Code Behind Drilling Down into Groups Configuring the XAML Updating the View Model Finishing the Code Behind Showing Detailed Book Information Configuring the XAML Updating the View Model Finishing the Code Behind Providing a Wish List Feature with SkyDrive Making Files Available Locally Registering Your App Loading/Creating the Wish List File Saving the Wish List File Adding the Commands Updating the Tile and Splash Screen Getting Ready for the Store Opening a Developer Account Reserving an App Name Acquiring a Developer License Editing the App Manifest Associating the App with the Store Capturing Screenshots Creating App Packages Uploading App Packages Concluding Remarks on the Store Checklist Summary Index Advertisement