Pro XAML with C♯ : from design to deployment on WPF, Windows Store, and Windows Phone

XAML is Microsoft s presentation layer markup language. When first introduced as part of .NET 3.0, XAML allowed developers unprecedented control over the look and feel of their applications. But XAML today is much more than just a presentation language. Its powerful data binding functionality allows complete separation of concerns, so you can build multilayered applications with reusable components, bridging the worlds of .NET and WinRT and even Windows Phone while sharing and reusing the majority of your code. Pro XAML with C# shows you how. In Part I, Buddy James shows you how to approach and break down a business problem by systematically gathering requirements and user stories. You ll also be introduced to some of the conflicting needs and interests that you might encounter as an enterprise XAML developer working as part of a team. Part II then dives into code as you develop the shared core of a XAML-based application. You ll see how to take advantage of XAML s powerful dependency injection to design a single business logic layer that answers the requirements of your business problem. The author then demonstrates how to use test driven development (TDD) to build your data access layer and make it fully database-agnostic, with implementations shown in both SQL and RavenDB. Once your business and data layers are in place, you re ready to build the user interfaces. You ll see how to build a shared XAML UI core first, before Part III explores implementation details for each of Microsoft s XAML UIs in turn: desktop (WPF), Windows 8 (WinRT) and Windows Phone. The final chapter is devoted to deploying and maintaining your application. Packed with real, useable code and expert insights, Pro XAML with C# is the ideal book for professional developers working on the .NET platform and needing to deploy applications on WPF, WinRT, Windows Phone, or any combination of the three. What you'll learn Analyze a business problem and develop a solution within the sometimes conflicting interests of a real business team Use domain driven design to get maximum business value from your development efforts Develop applications in Visual Studio making best use of its integrated design and development views Use dependency injection to create loosely coupled components that can be reused easily Learn how to design and build one application with three front ends, on WPF, Windows and Windows Phone, with high code reuse and a shared business and data access layersImplement the popular MVVM design pattern using the Microsoft Prism library to decouple your user interface from your core domain logic Cover your code with unit tests to reduce bugs and validate your design Deploy and maintain your application across different devices Who this book is for Pro XAML with C# is for intermediate to experienced .NET developers. Readers should have experience working with C# and at least one XAML-based technology (WPF, Silverlight, WinRT or Windows Phone). " Contents at a Glance Contents About the Authors About the Technical Reviewer Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Getting Started Chapter 1: What Is XAML? A Brief History of Windows User Interface Design Extensible Application Markup Language Separation of User Interface Concerns Declarative vs. Imperative Programming To Code-Behind or Not to Code-Behind? The MVVM Design Pattern Basic MVVM Implementation in WPF Summary Chapter 2: Software Craftsmanship Software as an Art and a Science SOLID Object-Oriented Design To Unit Test or Not to Unit Test? Test-Driven Development Meet the Team The Development Manager The Business Analyst The Junior Developer The Guru The DBA The First Team Design Meeting Scrum Agile Methodologies How to “Talk the Talk” When It Comes to Gathering Requirements User Stories and How to Create Them The Anatomy of a Good User Story Summary Part II: Laying the Groundwork Chapter 3: Domain-Driven Design Introducing Domain-Driven Design What Is Domain-Driven Design? Before Domain-Driven Design UML Hell and Stale “Requirements Documents” Business User? Who’s That? Ubiquitous Language The Domain Model in Domain-Driven Design The Source Code Is the Design Documentation Domain Entities Domain Aggregate Roots Domain Value Objects Domain Services Domain Events CQRS: Command Query Responsibility Segregation Summary Chapter 4: Design Patterns Architecture Types Layered Architecture User Interface Layer Presentation Layer Service Layer Domain Layer Infrastructure Layer Design Patterns Used Throughout the Book The Repository Pattern The Adapter Pattern The MVVM Design Pattern Basic MVVM Implementation in WPF ICommand: The Cure for the Common Event Handler Summary Chapter 5: Unit Testing Debugging Strategies Defensive Programming System Testing Regression Testing User Acceptance Testing Unit Tests to the Rescue Unit Testing Basics Characteristics of a Great Unit Test Automated Unit Test Execution Unit Test Execution Speed K.I.S.S. Your Unit Tests All Team Members Should Be Able to Execute Unit Tests Great Unit Tests Survive the Test of Time Unit Test Fixtures Unit Testing Frameworks NUnit Microsoft Unit Testing Project Template Summary Chapter 6: Advanced Unit Testing and Test-Driven Development Test Fixtures Are Classes Too Use Inheritance to Avoid Duplicate Code Unit Testing Classes That Have Dependencies Dealing with Dependencies Repository Pattern Stubs Mock Objects Using the Moq Framework Using the Mock Class to Set Up Your Dependencies Create an Instance of the Mock Class Set Up the Behavior of the Mock Dependency Object A Complete Example Design by Testing: Test-Driven Development Step 1: All Unit Tests Should Fail on the First Test Run Step 2: Add Only Enough Code to Pass the Test and No More Step 3: Tighten Up Your Code by Refactoring Summary Chapter 7: Exception Handling and Logging Enterprise Library Exception Handling Application Block Installing the Exception Handling Application Block Installing the Enterprise Configuration Console Configuring Policies, Exception Types, and Handlers Policy Exception Type Handler Wrap Handler Replace Handler Custom Exception Handler Modifying the Code Configuring the Logging Exception Handler Categories Special Categories Logging Filters Logging Target Listeners Logging Message Formatters Logging Options for Windows Device Apps Visual Studio Application Insights Summary Part III: Completing the User Interface Layer Chapter 8: The WPF User Interface The Basics Application Class Windows, Pages, and User Controls The Code-Behind File First Look XAML Designer Container Controls Content Property Attached Properties Layouts Fixed vs. Dynamic Layouts Managing Layouts with Container Controls Canvas DockPanel Grid StackPanel TabControl UniformGrid WrapPanel Margins and Padding Resources and Styles Resources Static Dynamic Styles Application-Level Styles View-Level Styles Container-Level Styles Control-Level Styles Data Binding XAML Markup ViewModel and INotifyPropertyChanged DataContext Dependency Properties Summary Chapter 9: The Windows Phone User Interface The Basics Windows Phone 8.1 SDK Multiresolution Support Scaling Themes, Resources, and Styles Background and Accent Colors Theme Resources Predefined Styles Application Architecture Page Orientation Navigation Navigation Helper Page Navigation Backward Navigation Caching Pages Templates DataTemplate ItemTemplate Displaying Collections ListView GridView Presentation Controls Hub Pivot Application Bar Summary Chapter 10: The Windows User Interface The Basics Windows Software Development Kit Developer License Basic Design Principles Gestures Managing Layouts Visual States Storyboards and Animations OnSizeChanged Searching Data Flyouts The Basics Usage and Syntax Programmatic Display Flyout Styles FlyoutPresenter MenuFlyoutPresenter Contracts Share Contract Settings Contract Summary Chapter 11: Deploying and Maintaining Your Application Version Control The Basics Choosing a Version Control System Team Foundation Version Control Git Visual Studio 2013 Integration Team Foundation Version Control Continuous Integration “ Johnny Broke the Build!” Configure a CI Build Queue a Build Deploying WPF Applications Using ClickOnce Publishing Apps to the Windows Store Windows Dev Center Registration Application Submission Windows Store Packaging Your Windows Store App Initiating App Submission App Name Selling Details Services Age Rating and Rating Certificates Cryptography Packages Description Notes to Testers Submit App Windows Phone Summary Index Pro XAML with C#: Application Development Strategies is your guide to real-world development practices on Microsofts XAML-based platforms, with examples in WPF, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1. Learn how to properly plan and architect an application on one or more of these platforms for a robust, scalable solution. In Part I, authors Buddy James and Lori Lalonde introduce you to XAML and reveal proven techniques for developing successful line-of-business applications. Youll also find out about some of the conflicting needs and interests that you might encounter as an enterprise XAML developer. Part II begins to lay the groundwork to help you properly architect your application, providing you with a deeper understanding of domain-driven design and the Model-View-ViewModel design pattern. You will also learn about proper exception handling and logging techniques, and how to cover your code with unit tests to reduce bugs and validate your design. Part III explores implementation and deployment details for each of Microsofts XAML UIs, along with advice on deploying and maintaining your application across different devices using version control repositori es and continuous integration. Pro XAML with C#: Application Development Strategies is for intermediate to experienced developers looking to improve their professional practice. Readers should have experience working with C# and at least one XAML-based technology (WPF, Silverlight, Windows Store, or Windows Phone). Packed with real, usable code and expert insights, Pro XAML with C# shows you how to design and build compelling enterprise applications on WPF, Windows Store, or Windows Phone, or any combination of the three. In Part I, authors Buddy James and Lori Lalonde introduce you to XAML and reveal proven techniques for developing successful line-of-business applications. You?ll also find out about some of the conflicting needs and interests that you might encounter as an enterprise XAML developer. Part II begins to lay the groundwork to help you properly architect your application, providing you with a deeper understanding of domain-driven design and the Model-View-ViewModel design pattern. You will also learn about proper exception handling and logging techniques, and how to cover your code with unit tests to reduce bugs and validate your design. Part III explores implementation and deployment details for each of Microsoft?s XAML UIs, along with advice on deploying and maintaining your application across different devices using version control repositories and continuous integration. Pro XAML with C# is for intermediate to experienced developers. Readers should have experience working with C# and at least one XAML-based technology (WPF, Silverlight, Windows Store, or Windows Phone). Packed with real, usable code and expert insights, this book shows you how to design and build compelling enterprise applications on WPF, Windows Store, or Windows Phone. Topics include: XAML, domain-driven design and the Model-View-View Model d