In this course, experienced developers who know the basics of Windows Forms development gain more advanced Windows Client design and development skills. WinForms and WPF programming models, as well as relative strengths and when to use each technology, are covered.
Target Audience:
This course is intended for Technology Specialists in the area of Windows Client Development who work in a development environment that uses Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2010 and Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 to create rich client applications for Windows.
Pre-requisites:
Before attending this course, students must have:
An understanding of the problem-solving techniques that apply to software development, including the following principles of software development:
- modern software development models
- typical phases of a software development lifecycle
- concepts of event-driven programming
- concepts of object-oriented programming
- creating use-case diagrams
- designing and building a user interface
- developing a structured application
A general understanding of the purpose, function, and features of following .NET Framework topics:
- Common Language Runtime
-.NET Framework class library
- Common Type System
- Component interoperation
- Cross-Language Interoperability
- Assemblies in the Common Language Runtime
- Application Domains
- Runtime hosts supported by the .NET Framework
Experience using Visual Studio 2008 in the following task areas:
- Declaring and initializing typed variables using the Camel case naming convention
- Using arithmetic, relational, and logical operators in code statement
- Using branching statements to control code execution
- Using looping statements to iterate through collections or repeat steps until a specified condition is met
- Creating classes and methods to establish the basic structure of an application
- Using methods and events to implement the programming logic of an application
- Identifying syntax and logic errors
- Accessing and managing data from a data source
Experience in object oriented design and development as follows:
- Creating and accessing classes and class properties
- Creating and accessing methods and overloaded methods
- Implementing inheritance, base classes, and abstract classes
- Declaring, raising, and handling events
- Responding to and throwing exceptions
- Implementing interfaces and polymorphism
- Implementing shared and static members
- Implementing generics
- Creating components and class libraries
Experience in N-Tier application design and development as follows:
- Managing a software development process
- Controlling input at the user interface level in Windows Client applications
- Debugging, tracing, and profiling .NET applications
- Monitoring and logging .NET applications
- Implementing basic testing best practices
- Performing basic Data Access tasks with LINQ (Basics of LINQ to XML, Basics of LINQ to Entities, and Basics of LINQ to SQL )
- Implementing basic security best practices in .NET Applications (Basics of Code Access Security, Basics of Role-Based Security, and Basics of Cryptography Services)
- Implementing basic service calls (Basics of consuming XML Web Services, and Basics of consuming WCF Services)
- Using .NET Configuration Files
- Deploying .Net Framework Applications using ClickOnce and the MS Installer
At Course Completion:
After completing this course, students will be able to:
understand how varying business requirements influence the design decisions when planning a Windows Client application.
understand the new features of Visual Studio 2010 WPF
design and build a UI that provides the expected end-user experience and UI functionality
create a consistent and manageable user interface
understand best practices when testing and learn how to debug their applications
use advanced exception handling in Windows Client application scenarios
implement advanced data binding scenarios
use coding techniques to improve the responsiveness of their applications
implement localization, user assistance, and accessibility features within an application
understand the basics of graphics in WPF
customize controls and introduce students to custom controls
implement application behaviors based on user actions or events by using attached properties and Expression Blend behaviors
develop data visualization within their applications in a manner that enables the application user to drill down into data visually
manage application state and settings throughout the application lifecycle
deploy their applications using the various methods supported by Visual Studio 2010
The goal of this module is to ensure that students understand how varying business requirements influence the design decisions when planning a Windows Client application. Students will learn how design requirements, specifications, and business goals affect the choice between WPF and Windows Forms when updating (or planning a new) Windows Client application.
Lessons
Windows Client Technologies
Architectural Patterns
Interoperability between Windows Forms and WPF
Lab : Planning Windows Client Applications
Identify Windows Client Technologies
Choosing Design Patterns
Lab Application Guided Walk-Through
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Choose appropriate Windows client technologies
Choose appropriate architectural patterns
Identify areas for migration from WinForms
Identify areas for interoperability between WinForms and WPF
Module 2: Introduction to Visual Studio 2010 and WPF Version 4
The goal of this module is to introduce students to the new features that Visual Studio 2010 and WPF version 4 provide.
Lessons
What’s New in Visual Studio 2010?
What’s New in WPF Version 4
Lab : Guided Tour of Visual Studio 2010 and XAML
Guided tour of Visual Studio 2010
Guided tour of XAML Editor
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Use new features in Visual Studio 2010
Use new features in WPF version 4
Module 3: Designing and Developing a User Interface
The goal of this module is to teach the student how to design and build a UI that provides the expected end-user experience and UI functionality, and retains that experience/functionality in various end-user environments, as well as when the application window resizes.
Lessons
Defining Page Layout
Using Content Controls
Using Item Controls
Sharing Logical Resources in a Window
Lab : Building a User Interface
Choosing User Interface Controls
Laying out the User Interface
Creating and Using Resource Dictionaries
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Define page layout
Use content controls
Use item controls
Share resources within a window or user control
Module 4: Taking Control of the User Interface
The goal of this module is to enable students to create a consistent and manageable user interface.
Lessons
Sharing Logical Resources in an Application
Creating Consistent User Interfaces by Using Styles
Changing the Appearance of Controls by Using Templates
Handling Events and Commands
Lab : Dynamically Controlling the User Interface
Creating Styles
Using Application Commands
Adding Routed Events
Creating a Custom Command
Migrating a Custom Command
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Share logical resources throughout an application
Create a consistent user interface by using styles
Change the appearance of controls by using templates
Handle events and commands
Module 5: Testing, Unit Testing, and Debugging
The goal of this module is to help students to develop good habits in regard to testing as well as enabling students to debug their applications. Students will also learn about advanced exception handling pertaining directly to Windows Client application scenarios.
Lessons
WPF Testing Strategies
Debugging XAML
Providing User Feedback for Unhandled Exceptions
Understanding Security Features
Lab : Testing and Debugging WPF Applications
Unit Testing Strategy
Unit Testing WPF Applications
Debugging Applications in Visual Studio 2010
Advanced Exception Handling
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Implement a WPF unit test strategy
Debug XAML by using the WPF Visualizer and PresentationTraceSources
Provide user feedback for unhandled exceptions
Understand security features of an application
Module 6: Simple Data Binding and Validation
The goal of this module is to teach the student how to implement simple data binding and data validation in order to manage data in a data source (CRUD). In addition to learning how to bind a value to a UI element, the student should learn best practices concerning when to use the various implementations of data binding and how to connect to a data source with LINQ.
Lessons
Overview of Data Binding
Creating a Data Binding
Implementing Property Change Notification
Converting Data
Validating Data
Presenting Data at Design Time
Lab : Data Binding
Binding Controls
Implementing Value Converters
Validating Data
Implementing Property Change Notifications
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain WPF data binding concepts and terminology
Create a binding between a data source and a control
Implement property change notification
Convert data between the binding source and the binding target
Validate data entered by the user
Present data at design time
Module 7: Data Binding to Collections
The goal of this module is to enable the student to implement more advanced data binding scenarios, picking up where the previous module on data binding left off. The student will learn how to bind to ListView, GridView, DataGrid, and other collection classes.
Lessons
Binding to Collections of Objects
Using Collection Views
Creating Master-Detail User Interfaces
Using Data Templates
Presenting Design Time Data Collections
Lab : Data Binding to Collections
Binding to Collections of Data
Using Collection Views
Creating Master-Detail User Interfaces
Using Data Templates
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Bind to a collection of objects
Sort, filter, and group collections by using collection views
Create master-detail user interfaces
Customise data display by using data templates
Present data collections at design time
Module 8: Enhancing UI Responsiveness
The goal of this module is to teach the students how coding techniques can be used to improve the responsiveness of their applications.
Lessons
Implementing Asynchronous Processes
Implementing Responsive User Interfaces
Lab : Enhancing Application Performance
Asynchronous Programming Strategy
Asynchronous Programming
Parallelising Tasks
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Implement asynchronous processes
Implement responsive user interfaces
Module 9: Integrating Localisation and User Assistance Features
The goal of this module is to teach students how to implement localisation, user assistance, and accessibility features within an application.
Lessons
Localisation and Globalisation
Implementing User Assistance Features
Providing User Accessibility Features
Lab : Localising a WPF Application
Preparing for Localisation for the LocBAML Approach
Localising Resources by Using LocBAML
Preparing for Localisation by Using Strongly Typed Resources
Localising Resources by Using Strongly Typed Resources
Choosing a Localisation Approach
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Describe WPF localisation and globalisation features
Implement localised WPF applications
Implement user assistance features
Provide user accessibility features
Module 10: WPF 2D Graphics, Multimedia, and Printing
The goal of this module is to teach the students the basics of graphics in WPF. The module will also provide an overview of multimedia (audio and video).
Lessons
Displaying 2D Graphics
Displaying Images
Adding Multimedia to WPF Applications
Creating and Printing Documents
Lab : Drawing 2-D Graphics
Identify the Appropriate Windows Client Technology
Creating the Data Access Layer and User Interface
Drawing Shapes, Painting with Brushes and Appling Effects
Adding Images
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Display 2D graphics
Add images in a WPF application
Add multimedia content to a WPF application
Create and print documents
Module 11: Control Customisation
The goal of this module is to teach students how to customise controls and introduce students to custom controls.
Lessons
Overview of Control Authoring
Creating User Controls
Creating Custom Controls
Managing Control Appearance by Using Visual States
Integrating WPF and Windows Forms
Lab : Building a User Control
Identify the Approach Control Type
Creating a User Control in WPF
Adding a WPF Control to a Windows Forms Application
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain scenarios and options for creating new controls
Create user controls
Create custom controls
Integrate WPF and WinForms controls
Module 12: Attached Properties and Behaviours in WPF
The goal of this module is to teach the students how to implement application behaviours based on user actions or application events by using attached properties and Expression Blend behaviours.
Lessons
Implementing Attached Properties
Implementing Drag-and-Drop User Interfaces
Implementing Expression Blend Behaviours, Triggers and Actions
Lab : Implementing Drag-and-Drop Operations
Implementing Drag-and-Drop Operations
Implementing Expression Blend Behaviours
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Describe WPF attached properties
Implement drag and drop
Implement Expression Blend behaviours
Module 13: Animations in WPF
The goal of this module is to teach the student how to implement animations and to teach students how to develop data visualisation within their applications in a manner that enables the application user to drill down into data visually. Students should also learn when animations should be used and why.
Lessons
Using Animations
Using Triggers
Implementing Data Visualisations
Lab : Creating Animations
Creating Animations Declaratively
Creating Animations Dynamically
Creating Routed Events
Handling Routed Events
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain when animations are appropriate for the user interface
Implement animation in WPF
Initiate animation by using triggers
Present data visualisations by using WPF
Module 14: Application State, Settings, and Lifecycle
The goal of this module is to teach students how to manage application state and settings throughout the application lifecycle.
Lessons
Creating Application Settings
Consuming Application Settings
Creating Custom Configuration Sections
Lab : Creating a Settings Dialog
Creating Application and User Setting by Using Visual Studio
Creating a Dialog Window
Reading and Writing Settings
Consuming Settings Properties
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Persist user and application settings
Consume user settings
Module 15: Configure and Deploy Windows Client Applications
The goal of this module is to teach students how to deploy their applications using the various methods supported by Visual Studio 2010.
Lessons
Deployment Options
Deploying a Standalone WPF Application
Deploying an XBAP Application
Configuring Security Settings
Lab : Deploying Applications
Developing a Standalone Installer
Configuring a ClickOnce Deployment
Updating a ClickOnce Deployment
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain deployment options
Deploy a standalone WPF application by using a Setup and Deployment project
