Customer Reviews

XAML in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The idea behind XAML is not new: it is a XML-based language, which describes a UI. A very similar model is Mozilla's XUL. But there is one big difference between XAML and XUL: XAML will not only be used for only one application and some derived programs, XAML will be the basis for the next Windows and all of its underlying programs. XAML (short for Extensible Application Markup Language, and pronounced "Zammel") is the user interface markup language for the Windows Presentation Foundation, which is one of the "pillars" of the WinFX API.
In typical usage, XAML files will be produced by a visual design tool, such as Visual Studio. The resulting XML is interpreted on-the-fly by a Longhorn display subsystem which replaces the GDI in previous versions of Windows. XAML was designed to support the classes and methods in the .NET Framework that deal with user interaction, especially screen displays. The acronym XAML originally stood for Extensible Avalon Markup Language, Avalon being the original code name for Windows Presentation Foundation, the name for this group of .NET classes.
This book spends more time on basic instruction than most Nutshell books. This is probably because, unlike Java, XAML is a new technology and the publishers correctly decided that most of us need some basic instruction as well as a reference guide. The book takes the time to show plenty of well-commented examples. One of the things that I like most about the book is that it takes time to tell you what XAML is and is not:
1. You do not have to use XAML to define Windows Forms controls in a WPF application, but you can choose to do so.
2. You can choose to strictly use code in the code behind files to define Windows Forms controls in a WPF application.
3. It is generally a better choice to use strictly code for Windows Forms controls.
4. There are limitations in XAML that make it impossible to do some Windows Forms related things using XAML and you will be forced to use code for these exceptions.
5. While you can use XAML to describe Windows Forms controls in a WPF application, you CANNOT use XAML to describe a complete Windows Forms application outside the scope of WPF.
A good companion to this book is "Programming Windows Presentation Foundation". Together, they paint a pretty exciting picture of the future of performing graphics tasks on Windows platforms. I notice that Amazon does not show the table of contents so I do that here:
I. Introducing XAML
1. Introducing XAML
The Benefits of XAML
What XAML Is Not
XAML Development Resources
2. Getting Started with XAML
XAML Prerequisites
Defining XAML Applications
Building XAML Applications
XAML Applications and Visual Studio
II. XAML Concepts
3. The Basics of XAML
Core XAML Syntax
Elements
Attributes
Attached Properties
Binding Properties
codebehind
4. Layout and Positioning
StackPanel and DockPanel
Using Width and Alignment
Margins and Padding
Grid
Absolute Positioning
5. Resources
Using Resources
Using Styles
Triggers
6. Storyboards and Animations
Storyboards
Controlling Animations
Animation Using Key Frames
III. Core XAML Reference
7. Elements
8. Controls
Base Control Reference
Common Event Reference
Core Control Reference
9. Shapes and Geometry
10. Layout
11. Animations and Transformations
12. Events
Routing Strategies
Event Argument Reference
Event Reference
IV. Appendixes
A. System.Windows.Controls
B. System.Windows.Documents
C. System.Windows.Shapes
D. System.Windows
E. System.Windows.Media
F. System.Windows.Input.ApplicationCommands
G. Predefined Colors
H. XAML Interface in Code
Index

I got this book when it was barely three months on the market.
Since WPF (aka avalon) is such a new topic, there are barely any books to teach it. This one is relatively clear and consice. The problem is that the WPF version thay are referring to is obsolete. Many concepts and most examples do not work as is. The whole chapter about Storyboards and animations is completely irrelevant.
I believe that a new version is needed, and I am sorry that I bought a three months old book which is obsolete, but I can not blame the author, she did a good job.

Regards

I use this book as a quick reference in favor of some more bulky books I have on the topic.

I found this book to be more to the point where it concerns XAML, and even more complete than some 1400 and 1800 pagers on WPF. The latter seem to skirt on XAML, and the approach of piecewise adding more information works well for a tutorial but makes it difficult to quickly find what you need on the fly.

Still I found some tags, even common tags missing altogether from XAML in a Nutshell. It may be that those were introduced in .NET 3.5 and the book was published before then. It is the only reason I do not give 5 stars.

Reading over some of the other reviews listed here, I feel that this book is getting some harsh criticism that is simply not justified. This is an OVERVIEW book folks, not a comprehensive resource that will turn you into an uber XAML programmer overnight! This book touches upon topics quickly and swiftly. Usually I appreciate brevity, but in this case being short doesn't necessarily help or hurt this book. If you want a quick read that will teach you some of the ins and outs of XAML, this is a nice book to do just that. If you need a more extensive look at the technology then pick up another guide but don't bash this book for being what it is.

Here's an overview of what to expect:

01. Introducing XAML
02. Getting Started
03. XAML Basics
04. Layout and Positioning
05. Resources
06. Storyboards and Animations
07. Elements
08. Controls
09. Shapes and Geometry
10. Layout
11. Animations and Transformations
12. Events

Along with this, you get 8 appendices covering the major parts of the XAML technology.

If you want a quick intro the technology, this is a nice pickup.

**** RECOMMENDED

Are you a .NET developer and/or user-interface designer that is familiar with HTML and the basics of XML? If you are, then this book is for you! Author Lori MacVittie, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that gives the reader a broader sense of the XAML market.

MacVittie, begins by providing you with a quick introduction to XAML and includes a list of references to tools available for developing XAML applications. Then, she details the system prerequisites and basics necessary to begin developing and building XAML applications. The author continues by describing the core XAML syntax and delves into the types of elements used to create XAML applications. Next, she details how to position individual elements using a variety of techniques, including panels and absolute positioning. Then, the author provides an overview of resources, focusing on the use of global resources to create a customized look and feel for your interface. She continues by detailing the mechanisms available for animating XAML elements. Next, she details and provides examples for the basic elements used within XAML, including Brush and Pen, ListItem, and elements used for text decoration, such as Inline, Bold, and Italic. The author continues by detailing the control elements available within XAML, such as Button, CheckBox, ImageViewer, and Expander. Then, she explains the differences between shape and geometry classes and details the Shape and Geometry elements available within XAML. Next, she details the XAML elements used to lay out user interfaces such as Grid and Panel, and describes supporting elements such as Trigger, Style, and Border. The author continues by detailing the types of animations and transformations available to XAML elements. Finally, she explains the WPF event system and details the events available to XAML elements.

This most excellent book gives the reader a quick reference to XAML with examples. In other words, this book provides documentation of all core components and presents detailed discussions on features such as animation, resources, and layout that will jump-start you on your way to becoming a XAML developer.

The previous post says nothing about the quality of this book and thus should be considered a definition of the XAML technology rather than a review.

In my opinion this book seemed slapped together. It was as if the tech writer of the documentation paraphrased the MS XAML Help. There was very little usage of metaphor or humour to make the topic interesting or easier to understand.

The code examples are extremely simple and unimaginative. In one of the very few lame attempts at humour the author comments about an animated rotating square and states that, "It may not be very useful, but it sure is fun to watch." I found this attempt at humour insulting. Can you imagine having a conversation with someone who talked like this?

If you are like me and you really like to have a paper version of bleeding edge tech stuff, you can be can be forgiven for purchasing this drivel. If you want to save yourself some hard earned cash, just download the MS Expression Interactive Designer CTP and work through the examples. You will learn more doing this in less time. In fact, unless you are stuck on the bus, you are wasting your time with this book.