Head First C#, 3rd Edition

Chapter 10. Designing Windows Store Apps with XAML: Taking your apps to the next level

You’re ready for a whole new world of app development.

Using WinForms to build Windows Desktop apps is a great way to learn important C# concepts, but there’s so much more you can do with your programs. In this chapter, you’ll use XAML to design your Windows Store apps, you’ll learn how to build pages to fit any device, integrate your data into your pages with data binding, and use Visual Studio to cut through the mystery of XAML pages by exploring the objects created by your XAML code.

Brian’s running Windows 8

Too bad Brian’s old-fashioned, old-style desktop app looks so outdated! He’s sick of poking at tiny checkboxes in the desktop. Brian wants his excuse generator to be a true Windows app. Can we give him one?

Behind the scenes

Do this!

Want to get these ideas into your brain fast? Then do these things before starting this chapter!

Windows Store apps are more complex than WinForms programs. That’s why WinForms are a really effective teaching tool, but not nearly as effective for building killer apps. It’s useful to take a step back and think about how you’re learning, because that will help you learn more effectively. Let’s do that now.

You’ve laid down a good foundation of core knowledge about C#, objects, ...