Developer Conference 2011

MICROSOFT USER GROUP KOLKATA

Building your first Metro Style Application

Abhishek Sur, Microsoft MVP Website: www.abhisheksur.com

Email : contact@abhisheksur.comTwitter : @abhi2434

Agenda

Introduction Convention & Rules Features Application Manifest Application Life Cycle Packaging & Deployment

Windows 8 Platforms and Tools

Windows Kernel Services

Application Model

Communication and Data

Graphics & Media

Devices & Printing

XAML

C, C++ / C#, VB

Javascript, CSS HTML

Normal Desktop Applications

Win 32 Native Apps

Metro Style Applications Desktop Applications

Why Metro Application

Metro Style application are full screen, device ready, touch interactive applications.

They are more alive & truly designed for multi tasking

Supports fluid layout, so content flows freely and adapts to available space.

Application Store

Conventions and Rules

Everything should be in background. UI threads must be responsive.

Layout needs to support Snapping. (FullScreen, Fillled, Snapped)

UI elements should follow standardization. (Application Bar, Charms etc.)

Packaging and Deployment is recommended to be done via App Store

Video

FEATURES

Live Tiles

Tiles are like Icons. They provide facility to update tile content even

when the application is not running Tiles are bigger than Icon and helps you easily

Tap using Thumb. Size of Tile can be made Small or Big based on

content you want.

Chirms

Each application is provided with Chirms. Chirms are special tools that allows an application

to interact with the environment. Chirms allows you to navigate to different

settings (Search, Share, Settings etc.)• Windows+F – Opens File Search• Windows+C – Opens Charms Bar• Windows+I – Opens Settings• Windows+Q – Opens App Search pane• Windows+W – Opens Settings Search app• Windows+Z – Opens App Bar

Application Bar

Provides standard set of Icons in form of a Application Toolbar.

ApplicationBar generally applied on top or bottom of the application.

Shortcut for Application Bar is : Win + Z Application Bar provides standard access to

activities required for an application

Layout & Convensions

demo

WORKING WITH APPLICATION MANIFEST

Capabilities

Windows 8 runs in constraint environment Capabilities define what the application is capable

of. Some capabilities are treated as sensitive and

hence depends on User preference. User has flexibility to switch on / off.

Declarations

General declarations on which the application can participate.

Example : File Type association, Global search, Background Tasks etc.

Capabilities

demo

Application Life Cycle

Windows Metro application does not need to be stopped by the User.

Application must Detect Suspension, Termination or Resumption.

Application automatically gets to suspended mode after 5 seconds.

Application gets terminated when it is not used for a long time

Debugging in VS

Visual Studio debugger never suspend an application.

Visual Studio has special menu which lets you Debug Suspension and Resumption of the application.

Application Life Cycle Manageent

demo

Packaging And deployment

Application Store Packaged using digital signature Zip content with XAML in plain text. Debug symbol files. VS generates additional files for local deployment

Package includes

Compiled Code & Custom dlls (if any) XAML (not compiled) Resources Manifest Digital signature

demo Packaging DemoAbhishek Sur, Microsoft MVP

References

• http://tinyurl.com/devconkol1• http://tinyurl.com/devconkol2• http://tinyurl.com/devconkol3

Thank you