Beginning Windows 8 Data Development: Using C# and JavaScript

Beginning Windows 8 Data Development: Using C# and JavaScript

Released September 2013
Publisher(s): Apress
ISBN: 9781430249924

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Book description

This book introduces novice developers to a range of data access strategies for storing and retreiving data both locally and remotely. It provides you with a range of fully working data access solutions and the insight you need to know when, and how, to apply each of the techniques to best advantage.

Focussing specifically on how the Windows 8 app developer can work with the Windows Runtime (often called Windows RT) framework this book provides careful analysis of the many options you have open to you, along with a comparision of their strengths and weaknesses under different conditions. With the days of a single database being the right choice for almost all development projects long gone. You will lean that the right choice for your app now depends on a variety of factors and getting it right will be critical to your customer's end user experience.

We cover a range of data access strategies ranging from storing and retrieving data locally using the JET API, to using the most popular open and closed source database products like SQLite and SQL Server. We look at how lightweight HTML and JavaScript apps work well with equally feather-weight data stores like IndexedDB. We'll also introduce you to more advanced data access techniques like REST (JSON), WCF RIA Services, ASP.NET MVC 4 Web API and Windows Azure that can hugely expand the horizons of what it is possible for your app to do as storage - and even processing - are taken beyond the confines of your user's device.

By the time you have read this book you will be familiar with the key data access considerations you will need to evaluate as you build you apps and you will be able to confidently select the data access architecture that is most appropriate to the app you want to build.

What you'll learn

  • Understand the data access capability of WinRT

  • Explore the various data access strategies

  • Understand local storage in Windows 8 Apps

  • Discover how to use HTML5 indexedDB as an offline database

  • Use SQLite and SQL Server with Windows 8 Apps

  • Develop ASP.NET MVC 4 Web API data stores

  • Learn how to consume data through a WCF Service

  • Integrate your app with Public Web Services using REST

  • See how SQL Azure can extend your Windows 8 Apps

    • Who this book is for

    This book is for all the .NET, iOS, Android and Windows Phone app developers looking to develop data driven Windows 8 style apps. You should be comfortable with basic programming concepts and have worked with simple data stores previously.

    Table of contents

    1. Title Page
    2. Dedication
    3. Contents at a Glance
    4. Contents
    5. About the Author
    6. About the Technical Reviewer
    7. Acknowledgments
    8. CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Windows 8 Development
      1. Windows App Framework
      2. Development Choices
      3. Creating the New York Times Best Sellers App
      4. Setting Up the Development Environment
      5. Conclusion
    9. CHAPTER 2: HTML5 and JavaScript Apps with MVVM and Knockout
      1. What Is Knockout?
      2. Understanding Knockout
      3. Creating the Pocket (Read It Later) App
      4. Conclusion
    10. CHAPTER 3: Windows 8 Modern App Data Access Options
      1. Data Storage Options
      2. Remote Data
      3. Conclusion
    11. CHAPTER 4: Local Data Access: I: IndexedDB
      1. What Is IndexedDB?
      2. Using IndexedDB in Windows 8 Application
      3. Creating the My Collections App
      4. Ideas for Improvement
      5. Conclusion
    12. CHAPTER 5: Local Data Access I: JET API and Application Data
      1. What Is ESENT/Jet API?
      2. Why to Use ESENT/Jet API
      3. Building Password Manager App
      4. Using Application Data Storage
      5. Ideas for Improvement
      6. Conclusion
    13. CHAPTER 6: Local Data Access III: SQLite
      1. Introduction to SQLite
      2. Integrating SQLite
      3. Introduction to MVVM Light Toolkit
      4. Building a Bill Reminder Windows 8 App
      5. Ideas for Improvement
      6. Conclusion
    14. CHAPTER 7: ASP.NET Web API
      1. Introduction to ASP.NET Web API
      2. Building the Party Planner Windows 8 App
      3. Ideas for Improvement
      4. Conclusion
    15. CHAPTER 8: WCF Services
      1. Business Apps for WinRT
      2. Prism Overview
      3. Building a Bill of Material Windows 8 App
      4. Consuming the WCF Service
      5. Integrating Prism in the Windows 8 App
      6. Designing the BOM App User Interface
      7. ViewModel
      8. Conclusion
    16. CHAPTER 9: Windows Azure Mobile Services
      1. Introduction to Windows Azure Mobile Services
      2. Creating the Instashots App
      3. Designing Instashots User Interface
      4. Conclusion
    17. CHAPTER 10: Windows Phone 8 Data Access
      1. Sharing the Code
      2. SQL Server Compact for Windows Phone
      3. Porting Bill Reminder Windows 8 App to Windows Phone
      4. Conclusion
    18. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Beginning Windows 8 Data Development: Using C# and JavaScript
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: September 2013
    • Publisher(s): Apress
    • ISBN: 9781430249924