Windows Developer Power Tools

3.0 Introduction

Version 3.0 of the .NET Framework (formerly known by the much more interesting handle “WinFx”) brings a couple of dramatic improvements to the .NET world. The fundamental set of Framework Class Libraries in .NET 2.0 isn’t altered by .NET 3.0; however, there are several critical additions to the Framework’s functionality.

The Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF, formerly “Avalon”) represents a sea change in Windows user interfaces. WPF brings exciting graphics enhancements such as 3D controls, transparent windows, smoothly embedded multimedia, and a host of other benefits to the .NET Framework. WPF also makes use of developers’ high-end graphics systems by offloading much of the display processing to the graphics cards’ specialized processors. (Of course, this means you’ll need sophisticated hardware to take full advantage of WPF’s best features. Generic and low-end display adapters need not apply.)

WPF also changes how user interfaces are built. eXtended Application Markup Language (XAML, pronounced “Zamel”) is an XML-based language used to define graphics, user interface layouts, control placement and functionality, and a host of other UI features. Graphics designers will use tools to create images and UIs for an application and save that project information in XAML format. Developers will then take that XAML information and make use of that same data as they’re wiring up the logic to implement the application behind the UI. Best of all, perhaps, is that XAML makes ...