book

Start Here! Build Windows 8 Apps with HTML5 and JavaScript

by Francesco Esposito, Dino Esposito

May 2013

Beginner

384 pages

9h 52m

English

Microsoft Press

Read now

Unlock full access

Dedication
Introduction
Who should read this bookWho should not read this bookOrganization of this bookFinding your best starting point in this bookConventions and features in this bookSystem requirementsCode samplesInstalling the code samplesErrata and book supportWe want to hear from youStay in touch
Acknowledgements
1. Using Visual Studio 2012 Express edition for Windows 8
Getting ready for developmentThe software you needInstalling Windows 8Installing Visual Studio ExpressConfiguring Visual Studio 2012Getting a product keyCreating a developer accountWindows Store accountStart playing with Windows 8 appsThe “Hello Windows 8” applicationChoosing a project templateCreating the sample projectTweaking the sample projectAdmiring the app in actionAdding a bit more actionAdding style to the pageGenerating a random numberSummary
2. Making sense of HTML5
Elements of a webpageBuilding the page layout with HTML5Preparing the sample applicationFrom generic blocks to semantic elementsHeader and footer elementsSection and article elementsThe aside elementThe nav elementMiscellany of other new elementsThe details elementThe mark elementThe dataList elementElements removed from older HTML versionsCollecting dataAdjusting input fieldsNew input typesMaking input fields auto-focusableGiving hints to usersForm submissionDetecting required fieldsValidating against regular expressionsForms and input validationMultimedia elementsThe audio elementUsing the <audio> elementThe problem of codecsSupported codecsThe video elementUsing the <video> elementSupported codecsSummary
3. Making sense of CSS
Styling a webpageAdding CSS information to pagesInline stylingEmbedded stylesUsing external filesSelecting elements to styleReferencing elements by IDReferencing elements by nameReferencing elements via custom classesThe cascading modelBasic style commandsSetting colorsDefining colorsChanging the foreground colorChanging the background colorUsing gradientsUsing a background bitmapControlling textChoosing the font family and sizeStyling fontsHTML display modesBlock elementsInline elementsFloating elements aroundInline-block elementsSpacing and the boxing modelDefining paddingDefining bordersDefining marginsDefining width and heightAdvanced CSS scenariosCSS pseudo-classesAnchor pseudo-classesPseudo-classes for input elementsAttribute pseudo-classesPseudo-classes for retrieving child elementsCompound selectorsMedia QueriesDynamic selection of the CSS fileSyntax of Media QueriesSummary
4. Making sense of JavaScript
Language basicsThe JavaScript type systemPrimitive types and built-in objectsThe JavaScript global objectNull vs. undefinedDealing with variablesLocal variablesGlobal variablesProtecting the global namespaceVariables and hoistingDealing with objectsStructure of JavaScript objectsThe prototype common propertyCreating new object instancesDealing with functionsNamed functions for repeatable behaviorImmediate functions and objectsExtending existing objects with behaviorConstructor functionsHaving fun with callback functionsContract-based callback functionsAnonymous FunctionsOrganizing your own JavaScript codeLinking JavaScript code to pagesEvent attributes of an HTML elementEmbedded JavaScript codeExternal filesPractices and habitsGroup your globalsKeep application state at handBe ready for localizationSummary
5. First steps with Windows 8 development
The Windows 8 Runtime (WinRT)Windows Store apps and other appsFate of old-fashioned Windows applicationsSupported programming languagesAn overview of the WinRT APIThe Windows 8 stackCapabilities of the WinRT APIAspects of the WinRT APIThe Windows Store app user interfaceAspects of the Windows 8 UIThe Windows 8 UI at a glanceDevice-centric designInspiring principles of the Windows 8 UIDesign for touchBe responsive and readyZero redundancyDo as Romans doDo as Romans do (and don’t reinvent the wheel)Collaborate (and don’t reinvent the wheel)Above us only cloudComponents for the presentation layerVisual elements of WinJSOn-demand user interfaceCreating a sample app barData bindingProgrammatic manipulation of the HTML pageDeclarative manipulation of the HTML pageUnderstanding the application’s lifecycleStates of a Windows Store applicationLaunching an applicationSuspending an applicationResuming an applicationBackground tasksSummary
6. The user interface of Windows Store applications
Foundation of Windows Store applicationsDefining the layout of the applicationExamining the project structureExamining standard style and script referencesAdding fixed user interface blocksApplication attributesThe manifest fileAdding logo imagesAdding a splash screenGetting serious with the TodoList applicationBuilding an interactive formDefining the task objectCollecting text and datesSetting the task prioritySetting the task statusAdding a button and tooltipsPutting data into the formInitializing the input formValidating input dataSummarizing resultsSummary
7. Navigating through multimedia content
Foundation of page navigationThe navigation model of Windows Store applicationsJumping to a different pageDisplaying a different pageInside the Navigation App templateCreating a navigation appSetting up the home screenBuilding a gallery of picturesIntroducing the FlipView componentDefining the item to displayCreating the FlipView componentAdding a template for the itemNavigating to a detail pageRetrieving the bound itemDefining the detail pagePassing data between pagesPersisting information across page navigationZooming the image in and outDefining the template for the detail pageAdding a slider to select the zoom levelManipulating the imageBuilding a video clip galleryIntroducing the SemanticZoom componentWhat’s semantic zoom, anyway?Preparing the ground for semantic zoomDefining ad hoc data for semantic zoomGrouping data for semantic zoomBinding data for semantic zoomUsing gradients for the backgroundDealing with videoHandling selectionPlaying YouTube video clipsSummary

8. States of a Windows 8 application
States of a Windows Store applicationFull-screen view statesLandscape modePortrait modeSnapping applicationsThe snapped view stateThe filled view stateMaking the application reactiveIntroducing new practices for application developmentDetecting view state changesAdapting the application’s contentTowards an adaptive layoutGeneral principles of snapped and filled viewsBe aware of view changesParity of features across statesUnsnap with careUse a proportional designFluid layoutsFlexible boxesCSS media queriesCSS media queries vs. resize eventsAdjusting the video applicationSummary
9. Integrating with the Windows 8 environment
Contracts and common tasksAspects of Windows 8 contractsThe Charms barConsuming and publishing servicesContracts and extensionsSupported contractsExtensionsConsuming the File picker contractChoosing a file to save dataPreliminary changes to the TodoList applicationUnsnap before you pickDealing with the default File save pickerPreferred settingsGetting the name of the file to createChoosing a file to load dataDealing with the File open pickerMultiple selectionsSelecting a folderThe Share contractPublishing an application’s dataChoosing the data formatThe data packageAdding share source capabilities to TodoListHandling requests for dataSharing data as plain textSharing data as HTMLConditional sharingProgrammatic sharingProviding a Settings pagePopulating the Settings charmCreating the settings flyoutCreating a read-only pageCreating a functional Settings pageDefining an application-wide settings objectPersisting application settingsCreating the Settings pageSummary
10. Adding persistent data to applications
Persisting application objectsMaking Task objects persistentThe add-task use caseSaving data to a fileCreating your own filesAppending text versus just writing textDeleting filesChoosing a serialization formatAdding a data serialization componentThe JSON formatSerializing the Task object to JSONCreating Task objects from filesMaking changes to the user interfaceLocating the file to openReading file contentDeserializing Task objectsUsing the application’s private storageStorage options in Windows 8Saving to the localSettings storageSaving to the local diskSaving to the isolated storageCreating tasks in the isolated storageReworking the user interface of TodoListRetrieving current tasksSaving tasks to the roaming folderSelecting tasks for editingDeleting tasksSummary
11. Working with remote data
Working with RSS dataGetting remote dataGetting familiar with XHRConfiguring the WinJS.xhr objectHandling errors during HTTP requestsGiving requests a timeoutA look at the application’s manifestParsing and displaying downloaded dataExtending the RSS Reader applicationParsing the RSS contentMapping an RSS feed item to the user interfaceDrilling down into dataMaking any displayed news item clickableDisplaying raw HTMLWorking with JSON dataLaying out a Flickr viewerSetting up the Flickr Viewer appLooking at the Flickr public feedPreparing the Flickr URLGetting the JSON dataAdding pictures to the user interfaceEnhancing the applicationDealing with invalid JSONFixing invalid JSONDisplaying a different set of photosSummary
12. Accessing devices and sensors
Working with the webcamCapturing the webcam streamSetting up the projectChecking the webcam capabilityConfiguring the webcamAccessing the webcam programmaticallyProcessing captured itemsDisplaying the captured pictureAdding the Pictures Library capabilityCreating a subfolder for photosSaving a copy of the pictureWorking with the printerThe Print contractSetting up the sample applicationRegistering the Print contractThe printing user interfacePrinting context-specific contentSplitting content in subdocumentsThe print mediaPreparing the document for printingWorking with the GPS systemDetecting latitude and longitudeSetting up the projectReading geographical positionMaking use of geolocation dataAdding the Bing SDK to the applicationShowing the location on a mapGetting address informationSummary
13. Adding Live tiles
What’s a Live tile anyway?Tiles in actionMoving Live tiles aroundResizing tilesUnpinned applicationsCreating Live tiles for a basic applicationPreparing the applicationThe notification objectCreating an application notificationAdding Live tiles to an existing applicationBringing back the TodoList applicationPreparing the groundIdentifying project files to editImplementation of Live tilesPreparing the ground for Live tilesChoosing the tile templatesSelecting data to display in tilesCombining small and large template togetherConnecting tiles and applicationSummary
14. Publishing an application
Getting a developer accountRegistering as a developer of free applicationsAccount informationPayment detailsRegistering as a developer of paid applicationsSteps required to publish an applicationChoosing a name for the applicationReserving an application nameLocalizing an application namePackaging an applicationCompiling in Release mode store logo.pngPreparing the app packageThe Windows App Certification KitUploading the applicationSideloaded applicationsSummary
A. About the authors
Index
About the Authors
Copyright

Overview

Ready to learn Windows 8 programming? Start Here!™

Learn the fundamentals of Windows 8 programming—and begin creating apps for desktops, laptops, tablets, and other devices. If you have previous experience with HTML5 and JavaScript—simply start here! This book introduces must-know concepts and getting-started techniques through easy-to-follow explanations, examples, and exercises.

Here’s where you start learning Windows 8 app development

Build on your knowledge of HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript
Create photo and media galleries with built-in HTML widgets
Interact with the system through live tiles, contracts, and view state detection
Store and access data on the local device and via the Internet
Access webcam, GPS, and other sensors embedded in the device
Create your first programs and publish them to the Windows Store

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

Read now

Unlock full access

More than 5,000 organizations count on O’Reilly

O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.

Julian F.

Head of Cybersecurity

I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.

Addison B.

Field Engineer

I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.

Amir M.

Data Platform Tech Lead

I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.

Mark W.

Embedded Software Engineer

Android for Absolute Beginners: Getting Started with Mobile Apps Development Using the Android Java SDK

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780735676169Errata Page

Cloud Computing

Data Engineering

Data Science

AI & ML

Programming Languages

Software Architecture

IT/Ops

Security

Design

Business

Soft Skills