Metro-Style Apps with C#/XAML

Build Fluid and Powerful WinRT Apps

Metro-style apps represent the future of touch based applications on Windows. WinRT is the underlying framework that makes this all possible. While there are two choices for developing Metro-style applications, using C# and XAML may be most confortable for existing .NET developers. This three-day course will walk you through all the techniques you need to get started in building the next generation of touch-based and tablet applications for Windows 8.

Outline

Introducing WinRT and Metro
  • What is WinRT
  • Runtime Basics
  • Language Services
  • .NET and WinRT
  • Tour of Windows 8
  • The Microsoft Store
Design
  • What is XAML
  • Layout Elements
  • Drawing with XAML
  • Shapes, Brushes, and Geometries
  • Text, Fonts and Media
  • Transformations
  • Animation and Storyboards
  • Projections
  • Shader Effects
  • Easing Functions
  • Using Behaviors
  • Using Expression Blend
  • Using Visual Studio Designer
  • Integrating Other Design Tools
Control Model
  • Simple Controls
  • Content Controls
  • List Controls
  • View Controls
  • Reusable Resources (Skinning)
  • Styling
Development
  • The Metro Environment
  • Packaging of Metro Apps
  • The Base Class Library
  • Interrogating the XAML
  • Working with Events
  • Controlling Animations
  • Async and Threading
  • Working with Touch APIs
The WinRT Environment
  • The HTTP Stack
  • Accessing Local Storage
  • Cloud Storage
  • Supporting Configuration
  • Sharing with Other Apps
  • Implementing Sharing
  • Using Hardware Devices
Data Binding
  • Binding Syntax
  • Data Contexts
  • OneWay/TwoWay Binding
  • Collection Binding
  • Hierarchical Binding
  • Binding Notification
  • Data Templates
  • Converters
  • Commanding
  • String Formatting
  • Fallback and Null Binding
  • Binding Failures
  • Validation Errors
  • Using LINQ
  • Using XML
  • Using JSON
Control Customization
  • Control Composition
  • Control Templates
  • Visual State Manager
  • User Controls
  • Dependency Properties
  • Integrating User Controls
Data Access Strategies
  • Using SOAP APIs
  • Working with REST Services
  • Using the WebAPI Services
  • Using OData
  • Network Security
  • Working Offline
Architecting Applications
  • Model-View-ViewModel
  • Models in Silverlight
  • Building ViewModels
  • Building Views
  • Databinding with MVVM
  • Importance of Messaging

Course Info

Length:
3 days

Prerequisites:
Students should have a basic understanding of C# and .NET in general.

Printable Course Outline