Essentials of Developing Windows® Store Apps Using C#

Describe the Windows 8.1 platform, architecture, and features.

Explain the basics of the Windows 8.1 UI and Windows Store app experience and how the experience differs from Windows desktop apps.

Explain the new API model, how it supports building Windows Store apps, and how it supports multiple language-specific projections.

In this module you will learn about the basic principles behind XAML, you will learn how to use XAML and the corresponding code-behind to create a responsive UI. you will also learn how dynamic and complex user interfaces are developed by using advanced features of XAML.

XAML Basics

XAML Code-Behind

Advanced XAML

Creating the User Interface by using Visual Studio 2013

Enhancing the UI by using Visual Studio 2013

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the basic principles behind XAML.

Use XAML and the corresponding code-behind to create a responsive UI.

Understand how dynamic and complex UIs are developed by using advanced features of XAML.

This module explains how to ensure that your app supports various devices and screen orientations.

Working with Data Presentation Controls

The GridView Control

Presenting the Note Data in the GridView Control

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Explain the different ways in which data can be displayed in Windows Store apps.

Use the GridView control to present groups of data in a dynamic and flexible view.

In this module, you will learn how by using the built-in controls and recommended methods, you can create intuitive apps that employ the common Windows 8.1 UI patterns across a variety of devices, with different form factors, and different input methods.

WinRT Controls

AppBar Control

Windowing Modes

Implementing an App Bar

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the WinRT library and controls.

Describe the app bar and explain the app bar functionality.

Describe how to create views with an adaptive layout, and explain the best practices.

In this module you will learn how to use files, streams, and pickers so that the user can store and retrieve information managed by your app.

Handling Files and Streams in Windows Store Apps

Working with File User Interface Components

Using the File API to Read and Write Data from the Notes Files

Adding Photos to a Note by using File Picker

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Work with files and streams by using WinRT.

Use WinRT pickers to display a UI that lets the user select an item, such as a file or a contract.

This module covers the app life cycle, app state management, and various app activation states. Understanding PLM is important for properly persisting data across suspensions, recovering from termination, and sharing settings between app installations on multiple devices.

Process Lifetime Management

Windows Store App Activation and Background Tasks

Implementing a State Management Strategy

Exploring the Different PLM States

Implementing State Management

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the various states of a Windows Store app.

Describe app activation modes.

Implement app state management.

In this module you will learn how to use resources, styles and templates.

Creating Shared Resources

Creating Styles and Templates

Creating a Control Style and Template

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create shared resources, which can be reused across multiple UI elements.

Create custom styles and templates, to provide a consistent look for your app.

In this module you will learn how to design and implement navigation in a Windows Store app. you will also learn how to implement semantic zoom in a Windows Store app.

Handling Navigation in Windows Store apps

Semantic Zoom

Adding Navigation to the ILoveNotes App

Implementing Semantic Zoom

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Implement navigation and pass data between pages in your apps.

Explain the purpose and functionality of Semantic Zoom in a Windows Store app.

This module introduces contracts and charms. These are two new Windows 8.1 features you can use to create a consistent and unified experience across Windows Store apps. By using contracts, you can make it easier for users to search for the content of your app, to discover and modify common settings, and to share data with other apps.

Designing for Charms and Contracts

The Search Contract and the SearchBox Control

The Share Contract

Managing App Settings

Implementing the Search Contract

Implementing the Share Contract

Adding a New Setting to the Settings Pane

Optional: Implementing Search with the SearchBox Control

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Design apps to use charms and contracts.

Implement the Search contract.

Implement the Share Target and Share Source contracts.

Describe the Settings pane and add settings commands.

In this module you will learn how to implement tiles and user notifications.

Implementing Tiles, Live Tiles, Secondary Tiles, and Badge Notifications

Implementing Toast Notifications

Enabling Live Tile Functionality on the Main Tile

Adding Secondary Tiles Functionality

Adding Scheduled Toast Notifications for ToDo Notes

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Implement tiles, live tiles, and secondary tiles that draw the user back to your app.

Implement toast notifications to display important information.

This module describes the various data access strategies that you can use in app development, and it specifically focuses on the best practices for remote storage.

Evaluating Data Access Strategies

Working with Remote Data

Answer These Questions

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe various data access strategies and when to apply them.

Describe common use cases that occur while working with remote data.

In this module, you will learn how to successfully include all the three interaction types in Windows Store apps

Working with Pointer Events

Working with Gesture Events

Implementing Mouse Events

Implementing Gesture Events

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe mouse events and touch gestures in Windows 8.1.

Identify the best practices for handling gestures.

In this module, you will learn about the process of preparing and submitting a Windows Store app to the Windows Store. This includes changes to the app manifest, passing app certification, meeting Windows Store app certification requirements, and using Windows Store-related tools in Visual Studio 2013. Finally, you will learn how to submit apps to the Windows Store and a private enterprise store.

The Windows Store App Manifest

Windows Store App Certification

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Change the package manifest of an app to meet the requirements for deploying to the Windows Store.

Deploy an app to the Windows Store and prepare an app for enterprise deployment.