C#

In this lesson, we begin the process of understanding how to utilize data in our app.  We begin by looking at this from the GroupedItemsPage.xaml's perspective, and how it utilizes the CollectionViewSource to bind to a View Model provided in the LayoutAwarePage.cs.  We talk about the…

In this lesson we follow the Hands On Labs to modify the branding elements of the app by adding images and configuring our app to use them.  We learn about the Package.appxmanifest and how it introduces our app to Windows 8 and finally discuss the purpose of the App.xaml.   Download the…

In this lesson Bob walks through the major sections of the GroupedItemsDetail.xaml page explaining the purpose of the elements.  He explains the purpose of the LayoutAwarePage, how binding syntax works in XAML, resource dictionaries, styles, data templates, and more.   Download the entire…

Bob continues by talking about default properties, the Content property utilized by most controls, property element syntax, and then talks about the various schemas utilized in XAML and what they are there for.   Download the entire series' source code

Now that we have a project, it's time to learn XAML for user interface layout and interaction.  Bob provides a fast but gentle introduction -- as he calls it, the "cheater's guide" -- to learning this declarative language.  He explains what XAML is at a high level and its…

In lesson Bob takes the first steps towards building the Contoso Cookbook by creating and walking through a new Grid App Template project and modifying the project name displayed on the start page.   Download the entire series' source code

In this lesson Bob kicks off the series talking about the organization, required setup and goals of the lessons, and provides some motivation and guidance for getting started.   Resources C# Fundamentals: Development for Absolute Beginners Visual Studio Express 2012 Product Downloads Psst…

Today's Mobile Monday post is a Windows Phone 7.x app WinSource reader app by Sébastien Lachance. "A Windows Phone 7.x App! What are you thinking, Greg? Windows Phone 8 should be in days! Why highlight a 7.x app? Are you smoking dope?" No, no... The point I'm trying to make is that Windows…

Today's Hardware Friday project by a friend of the blog, Marco Minerva, shows how he, and with his help, us, can build a cool home automation system with some of our favorite tools. Gadgeteer Home Automation SystemIn this post I want to describe how to create a Home Automation System that puts…

Today's topic comes via a suggestion via Andy Dunn. I've been following and blogging about these eBooks on my personal blog, but this one I skipped. I mean, I wasn't a C++ dev, and so why would I care about a C++ book? sigh... Sometimes I hate being stupid. When Andy's email came in…