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.

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.

Understand what every developer should know about performance when building Windows Store apps. Not designed as a comprehensive reference, this book instead zeroes in on the essentials of planning for great performance and provides a solid starting point for building fast apps. This concise, performance-focused guide: Provides an introduction to the Windows platform from a performance point of view Describes how to set performance goals, establish tests to track performance, and covers tools to instrument code and analyze performance Explains why common techniques such as micro benchmarks and ad hoc testing often fall short in verifying performance Focuses on managed C#/XAML apps Although tools and techniques also apply to Visual Basic/XAML apps, all code examples use C# HTML5/JavaScript and C++/XAML are not covered

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.

Build and optimize Windows Phone 8 apps for performance and security Drill into Windows Phone 8 design and architecture, and learn best practices for building phone apps for consumers and the enterprise. Written by two senior members of the core Windows Phone Developer Platform team, this hands-on book gets you up to speed on the Windows 8 core features and application model, and shows you how to build apps with managed code in C# and native code in C++. You’ll also learn how to incorporate Windows Phone 8 features such as speech, the Wallet, and in-app purchase. Discover how to: Create UIs with unique layouts, controls, and gesture support Manage databinding with the Model View ViewModel pattern Build apps that target Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7 Use built-in sensors, including the accelerometer and camera Consume web services and connect to social media apps Share code across Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 apps Build and deploy company hub apps for the enterprise Start developing games using Direct3D Test your app and submit it to the Windows Phone Store

Master Windows 8.1/Windows Runtime Programming Through 80 Expert Projects This is the most complete, hands-on, solutions-focused guide to programming modern Windows applications with the Windows Runtime. Leading Windows development consultants Jeremy Likness and John Garland present easy-to-adapt C# and XAML example code for more than 80 projects. Their real-world application examples help you apply Windows 8.1’s best improvements, including large tiles, the new search control, flyouts, command bars, native WinRT networking, and new deployment and sideloading options. Drawing on their pioneering experience, they illuminate key areas of the Windows Runtime API, offering uniquely detailed coverage of encryption, cloud connectivity, devices, printers, and media integration. You’ll find cutting-edge tips and tricks available in no other book. This is an indispensable resource for all intermediate-to-advanced Windows developers, and for any architect building desktop, tablet, or mobile solutions with Microsoft technologies. Its focus on both C# and XAML will make it valuable to millions of Windows developers already familiar with Silverlight, WPF, and/or .NET. Coverage includes • Creating robust app interfaces with the newest XAML controls, including flyouts and command bars • Saving data in a persistent “roaming zone” for syncing across Windows 8.1 devices • Using Visual State Manager (VSM) to build apps that adapt to various device resolutions and orientations • Integrating virtually any form of data into your apps • Connecting with web services, RSS, Atom feeds, and social networks • Securing apps via authentication, encrypting, signing, and single sign-on with Microsoft Account, Facebook, Google, and more • Leveraging Windows 8.1 media enhancements that improve battery life and app performance • Networking more effectively with Windows 8.1’s revamped HTTP implementation and new location APIs • Using Tiles and Toasts to keep apps alive and connected, even when they aren’t running • Enabling users to send content between devices via NFC tap and send • Ensuring accessibility and globalizing your apps • Efficiently debugging, optimizing, packaging, and deploying your apps • Building sideloadable apps that don’t have to be published in Windows Store “This book doesn’t just focus on singular concepts, it also provides end-to-end perspective on building an app in WinRT. It is one of those essential tools for Windows developers that will help you complete your software goals sooner than without it!” —Tim Heuer, Principal Program Manager Lead, XAML Platform, Microsoft Corporation

Modern Cross-Platform Development About This Book Build modern, cross-platform applications with .NET Core Get up to speed with C#, and up to date with all the latest features of C# 7 Start creating professional web applications with ASP.NET Core Who This Book Is For This book is targeted towards readers who have some prior programming experience or have a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) background, and want to gain a solid foundation with C# and to be introduced to the types of applications they could build and will work cross-platform on Windows, Linux, and macOS. What You Will Learn Build cross-platform applications using C# 7 and .NET Core Explore ASP.NET Core and learn how to create professional web applications Improve your application's performance using multitasking Use Entity Framework Core and find out how to build code-first databases Master object-oriented programming with C# to increase code reuse and efficiency Familiarize yourself with cross-device app development using the Universal Windows Platform and XAML Query and manipulate data using LINQ Protect your data by using encryption and hashing In Detail If you want to build powerful cross-platform applications with C# 7 and .NET Core, then this book is for you. First, we'll run you through the basics of C#, as well as object-oriented programming, before taking a quick tour through the latest features of C# 7 such as tuples, pattern matching, out variables, and so on. After quickly taking you through C# and how .NET works, we'll dive into the .NET Standard 1.6 class libraries, covering topics such as performance, monitoring, debugging, serialization and encryption. The final section will demonstrate the major types of application that you can build and deploy cross-device and cross-platform. In this section, we'll cover Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, web applications, mobile apps, and web services. Lastly, we'll look at how you can package and deploy your applications so that they can be hosted on all of today's most popular platforms, including Linux and Docker. By the end of the book, you'll be armed with all the knowledge you need to build modern, cross-platform applications using C# and .NET Core. Style and approach This book takes a step-by-step approach and is filled with exciting projects and fascinating theory. It uses three high-impact sections to equip you with all the tools you'll need to build modern, cross-platform applications using C# and .NET Core.