Essential Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)

Description

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) replaces Microsoft’s diverse presentation technologies with a unified, state-of-the-art platform for building rich applications. WPF combines the best of Windows and the Web; fully integrates user interfaces, documents, and media; and leverages the full power of XML-based declarative programming.

In Essential Windows Presentation Foundation, former WPF architect Chris Anderson systematically introduces this breakthrough platform, focusing on the concepts and techniques working developers need in order to build robust applications for real users. Drawing on his unique experience as an architect on the team, Anderson thoroughly illuminates the crucial new concepts underlying WPF and reveals how its APIs work together to offer developers unprecedented value.

Through working sample code, you’ll discover how WPF draws on the Web’s simple models for markup and deployment, common frame for applications, and rich server connectivity, and on Windows’ rich client model, simple programming model, strong control over look-and-feel, and rich networking. Topics explored in depth include

• WPF components and architecture
• Key WPF design decisions–and why they matter
• XAML markup language
• Controls
• Layouts
• Visuals and media, including 2D, 3D, video, and animation
• Data integration
• Actions
• Styles
• WPF Base Services

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Figures xv

Foreword by Don Box xxv

Foreword by Chris Sells xxvii

Preface xxix

About the Author xxxix

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

WPF as the New GUI 1

A Brief Look at the XAML Programming Model 11

A Tour of WPF 17

Tools for Building Applications 39

Where Are We? 41

Chapter 2: Applications 43

Application Principles 43

Application 52

Resources and Configuration 60

Windows 71

User Controls 80

Navigation and Pages 83

Hosting Applications in a Browser 103

Where Are We? 111

Chapter 3: Controls 113

Control Principles 113

Control Library 128

Building Blocks 161

Where Are We? 171

Chapter 4: Layout 173

Layout Principles 173

Layout Library 186

Grid 196

Writing a Custom Layout 207

Where Are We? 215

Chapter 5: Visuals 217

2D Graphics 218

3D Graphics 254

Documents and Text 267

Animation 283

Media 300

Where Are We? 305

Chapter 6: Data 307

Data Principles 307

Resources 310

Binding Basics 316

Binding to CLR Objects 322

Binding to XML 331

Data Templates 338

Advanced Binding 342

Data-Driven Display 357

Where Are We? 363

Chapter 7: Actions 365

Action Principles 365

Events 369

Commands 373

Triggers 383

Where Are We? 389

Chapter 8: Styles 391

Style Principles 391

Beginning Styles 397

Using Styles for Good, Not Evil 415

Where Are We? 419

Appendix: Base Services 421

Threading and Dispatchers 421

Properties 427

Keyboards, Mice, and Styluses 437

Where Are We? 442

Index 443

Updates

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