windows store apps: tips & tricks

Windows Store appsTips & tricks from the field

Robert MacLeanTechnology Specialist, Microsoft MVPBBD

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Agenda

Architecture

XAML Tricks

Debugging

Key features for success

3

Warning

This is not an intro session to Windows Store apps

Some concepts will be mentioned briefly

4

First tip – UPDATE VISUAL STUDIO!

Better manifest designer

Mixed mode & ARM debugging

JavaScript memory analysis & profiling

Data-driven unit tests

C++ unit testing

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)

Architecture & Mini-tricks

Look at alternatives from the out the box templates

MVVM & ViewStateManager

CallerMemberInfo & Setters for Navigation

Architecture & Mini-tricks

Image ©TJFLEX2 on Flickr

Visual States without ViewStateManager

Page load: TreasureMapPage.xaml

Current State: FullScreen

Load UI: Views.FullScreen.TreasureMapPage

Load UI: Views.TreasureMapPage

Page binds ViewModel

Advantages of sans ViewStateManager

Convention based binding

Can make complex views easier to work with

Fallback means all states are handled

Disadvantages of sans ViewStateManager

Need to re-implement navigation system

Convention based binding

Could result in ViewModel re-creations

MVVM Frameworks

MVVM Light Toolkit

AtomicMVVM

Caliburn.Micro

& many more

Review: Architecture

Embrace MVVM

ViewStateManager: Has loads of uses!

http://bit.ly/w8sampleapp

Review: Mini-Tricks

CallerMemberName: Solving MVVM pains!

Setters for navigation, provides ideal code

Debugging

How to easily debug background tasks, share & search

Visual Studio debugging

Debugging

Review: Debugging

Background tasks – via the run option

Share/Search – via do not launch

VS has a wealth of debug options!

Key features for success

Feel like part of the OS!

Track your app

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

Key features for success

Image © Nick Sherman on Flickr

Windows Store: Crash & Ratings

Windows Store: Downloads & usage

MarkedUp: Version usage

MarkedUp: Installs by manufacturer

MarkedUp: Usage, crash, errors & logs

MarkedUp: Custom events

You always get reviews

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!

Review: Tips & Tricks

Get the architecture correct

Debugging is easy

Prepare for success

Contact

@rmaclean

www.sadev.co.za

Thank you!