Windows Store Apps: Tips & Tricks

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Windows Store apps Tips & tricks from the field Robert MacLean Technology Specialist, Microsoft MVP BBD

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Transcript of Windows Store Apps: Tips & Tricks

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Windows Store appsTips & tricks from the field

Robert MacLeanTechnology Specialist, Microsoft MVPBBD

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Join the user group at www.DeveloperUG.org.za

Join the DeveloperUG

Monthly user group meetings & workshops

Range of topics, from crafting code to web & app technologies

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Agenda

Architecture

XAML Tricks

Debugging

Key features for success

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Warning

This is not an intro session to Windows Store apps

Some concepts will be mentioned briefly

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First tip – UPDATE VISUAL STUDIO!

Better manifest designer

Mixed mode & ARM debugging

JavaScript memory analysis & profiling

Data-driven unit tests

C++ unit testing

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First tip – UPDATE VISUAL STUDIO!

Unit testing on UI thread & Assert.ThrowsException

Better XAML designer

Latest App Certification Kit

HTML Visual Profiler

Updated Blend for VS (WPF, Sketchflow, Store apps)

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Architecture & Mini-tricks

Look at alternatives from the out the box templates

MVVM & ViewStateManager

CallerMemberInfo & Setters for Navigation

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Architecture & Mini-tricks

Image ©TJFLEX2 on Flickr

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Visual States without ViewStateManager

Page load: TreasureMapPage.xaml

Current State: FullScreen

Load UI: Views.FullScreen.TreasureMapPage

Load UI: Views.TreasureMapPage

Page binds ViewModel

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Advantages of sans ViewStateManager

Convention based binding

Can make complex views easier to work with

Fallback means all states are handled

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Disadvantages of sans ViewStateManager

Need to re-implement navigation system

Convention based binding

Could result in ViewModel re-creations

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MVVM Frameworks

MVVM Light Toolkit

AtomicMVVM

Caliburn.Micro

& many more

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Review: Architecture

Embrace MVVM

ViewStateManager: Has loads of uses!

http://bit.ly/w8sampleapp

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Review: Mini-Tricks

CallerMemberName: Solving MVVM pains!

Setters for navigation, provides ideal code

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Debugging

How to easily debug background tasks, share & search

Visual Studio debugging

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Debugging

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Review: Debugging

Background tasks – via the run option

Share/Search – via do not launch

VS has a wealth of debug options!

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Key features for success

Feel like part of the OS!

Track your app

Move from reviews (1-way) to feedback (2-way)

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Key features for success

Image © Nick Sherman on Flickr

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Windows Store: Crash & Ratings

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Windows Store: Downloads & usage

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MarkedUp: Version usage

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MarkedUp: Installs by manufacturer

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MarkedUp: Usage, crash, errors & logs

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MarkedUp: Custom events

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You always get reviews

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Review: Key features for success

Callisto – USE IT!

Stats, embrace them! Use MarkedUp for additional stats!

Get a two way feedback channel in your app!

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Review: Tips & Tricks

Get the architecture correct

Debugging is easy

Prepare for success

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Contact

@rmaclean

www.sadev.co.za

Thank you!