Press Release
April 12, 2006
XAML in a Nutshell: Creating Application User Interfaces with WPF and XAML
Sebastopol, CA--When Microsoft releases Windows Vista, the new operating
system will support applications that employ graphics of the type now used
by computer games: clear, stunning, and active. The cornerstone for
building these new user interfaces is XAML ("Zammel"), an XML-based markup
language that works with Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Vista's
new graphics subsystem.
XAML offers a wealth of new controls and elements with exciting
capabilities, including animation and rendering of 3D graphics. Windows
developers are already enthused by the possibilities of using XAML for
fixed and flow format documents like PDF and HTML, vector-based graphics,
form development, animation, audio and video, transparent layering, and
more. Many feel that XAML will eliminate the need for multiple file
formats or plug-ins (read: Flash), while lowering development costs and
reducing time to market. For developers who want to get up to speed with
the new technology well before the release of Windows Vista, Lori
MacVittie's new book, XAML in a Nutshell (O'Reilly, US $29.99) covers
everything necessary to design user interfaces and .NET applications that
take advantage of WPF.
"XAML is an entirely new way to design user interfaces for Windows and
offers so many exciting features that some of the more powerful ones get
lost in the tedium of just trying to understand this new language," says
MacVittie. "XAML in a Nutshell provides not only an understanding of the
foundation, but also offers explanations and examples of some of the
awesome features of Windows Presentation Foundation that can be taken
advantage of with XAML, like resources and animation."
XAML in a Nutshell helps developers learn firsthand how to use this
markup language to implement the newest generation of user interface
graphics. Prerequisites such as Microsoft's new unified build system,
MSBuild, and core XAML constructs and syntax--including shortcuts--are
presented with plenty of clear examples. The Core XAML Reference section
lets readers dig even deeper into syntax rules and attributes for all XAML
elements with a series of quick-reference chapters. It divides XAML
elements into logical categories of elements, controls, shapes and
geometry, layout, animations, and transformations for easy reference.
"Writing a book on subject matter that s still evolving can be
frustrating," recalls MacVittie. Her book covers XAML as it exists in the
core WinFX SDK (Community Technology Preview, October 2005). "Attributes
disappear, namespaces change form one build to the next. It was quite a
challenge to ensure that the examples and references were as up-to-date as
possible and still publish in a timely manner."
MacVittie's book is intended for software developers and user-interface
designers. "Both will find the book useful, the former for understanding
how SAML relates to the CLR and the latter in learning how to design an
interface without ever writing a line of code."
Advanced Praise for XAML in a Nutshell:
"Strong code examples and an efficient, conversational style take the
tedium out of learning XAML and make the subject understandable--even
interesting."
-Bradley F. Shimmin, Business Analyst, CMP Media LLC
Additional Resources:
- Chapter 3, "The Basics of XAML"
- More information about the book, including table of contents, index,
author bio, and samples
-
A cover graphic in JPEG format
XAML in a Nutshell
Lori A. MacVittie
ISBN: 0-596-52673-3, 284 pages, $29.99 US
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000
About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.
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