In this course students will learn essential programming skills and techniques that are required to develop Windows Store apps. This includes a combination of both design and development skills, as well as ensuring that students are comfortable using and making the most of the Visual Studio and Expression Blend tools.

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for professional developers who have 1 or more years of experience in creating applications.

Course Outline

Module 1: Overview of the Windows 8 Platform and Windows Store Apps

This module describes the Windows 8 platform and features, and explores the basics of a Windows Store app interface.

Lessons

• Introduction to the Windows 8 Platform
• Windows 8 User Interface Principles
• WinRT and Language Projections

Module 2: Single-Page Applications and the MVVM Design Pattern

This module describes the principles used for building single-page apps and how to apply the MVVM design pattern using JavaScript.

Lessons

• Single-Page Applications
• The MVVM Design Pattern

Module 3: Using WinJS

This module explains how to use WinJS to build Windows Store apps.

Lessons

• The WinJS Library
• WinJS APIs

Module 4: Implementing Layout using Windows 8 Built-In Controls

This module explains how to implement the AppBar and layout controls.

Lessons

• Windows 8 Layout Controls
• Implementing WinJS Controls and Templates
• The AppBar Control
• Snap and Fill

Module 5: Presenting Data

This module explains how to use data binding to present data in the User Interface.

Lessons

• Working with Data Presentation Controls
• The ListView Control

Module 6: Handling Files in Windows Store Apps

This module explains how to handle files and streams in Windows Store Apps.

Lessons

• Handling Files and Streams in Windows Store apps
• Working with File User Interface Components

Module 7: Windows Store App Process Lifetime Management

This module explains how to respond to application lifecycle events using Process Lifetime Management (PLM) and the PLM extensibility points provided by the Visual Studio 2012 templates.

Lessons

• Process Lifetime Management
• Launching Windows Store Apps
• Implementing State Management Strategy

Module 8: Designing and Implementing Navigation in a Windows Store App

This module explains how to handle navigation scenarios in a Windows Store app and how to implement Semantic Zoom.

Lessons

• Handling Navigation in Windows Store apps
• Semantic Zoom

Module 9: Implementing Windows 8 Contracts

This module explains how to design and implement Windows 8 contracts such as Search, Share and Settings.

Lessons

• Designing for Charms and Contracts
• The Search Contract
• The Share Contract
• Managing App Settings and Preferences

Module 10: Implementing Tiles and User Notifications

This module explains how to implement tiles and toast notifications in a Windows Store App.

Lessons

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

Module 11: Designing and Implementing a Data Access Strategy

This module explains how to implement various data access scenarios for Windows Store apps.

Lessons

• Evaluating Data Access Strategies
• Working with Remote Data

Module 12: Responding to Mouse and Touch

This module explains how to respond to mouse, keyboard and touch events, including gestures.

Lessons

• Working with Mouse Events
• Working with Gesture Events

Module 13: Planning for Windows Store App Deployment

This module explains how to deploy Windows Store apps to the Windows Store or an enterprise store.

Lessons

• The Windows Store App Manifest
• Windows Store App Certification
• Windows 8 Enterprise App Deployment

Labs

Lab: Overview of the Windows 8 Platform and Windows Store Apps
Lab: Single-Page Apps and the MVVM Design Pattern
Lab: Using WinJS
Lab: Implementing Layout using Windows 8 Built-In Controls
Lab: Presenting Data
Lab: Handling Files in Windows Store Apps
Lab: Windows Store App Process Lifetime Management
Lab: Designing and Implementing Navigation in a Windows Store App
Lab: Implementing Windows 8 Contracts
Lab: Implementing Tiles and User Notifications
Lab: Designing and Implementing a Data Access Strategy
Lab: Responding to Mouse and Touch

What You'll Learn

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe review the Windows 8 platform and features, and explore the basics of a Windows app interface.
• Create the User Interface layout and structure.
• Apply the MVVM pattern to application design.
• Implement the AppBar and layout controls.
• Use templates to create the UI.
• Use data binding to present data in the UI.
• Handle files and streams.
• Design and implement Process Lifetime Management (PLM).
• Handle navigation scenarios in a Windows Store app.
• Implement Semantic Zoom.
• Design and implement contracts such as Search, Share and Settings.
• Implement tiles and toast notifications in a Windows Store app.
• Respond to mouse, keyboard and touch events, including gestures.
• Deploy a Windows Store app to the Windows Store or an enterprise store.

We look forward to your great success.