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

by Lori MacVittie (Author)
Key Phrases: shape hierarchy, using margin, codebehind handler, The Duration, Event Argument Type, Button Width (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When Microsoft releases Windows Vista, the new operating system will support applications that employ graphics now used by computer games--clear, stunning, and active. The cornerstone for building these new user interfaces is XAML ("Zammel"), the XML-based markup language that works with Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Vista's new graphics subsystem.

An acronym for Extensible Application Markup Language, XAML offers a wealth of new controls and elements with exciting capabilities, including animation and rendering of 3D graphics. Windows developers are already jazzed by the possibilities of using XAML for fixed and flow format documents like PDF and HTML, 2D and 3D vector-based graphics, form development, animation, audio and video, transparent layering, and a lot more. Many feel that XAML will eliminate the need for multiple file formats or plug-ins (read: Flash), while lowering development costs and reducing time to market.

The problem is, most developers don't know XAML. While it is fairly easy to understand, you still need a quick guide to bring you up to speed before Vista's release, and that's where this book's simple, no nonsense approach comes in.

XAML in a Nutshell covers everything necessary to design user interfaces and .NET applications that take advantage of WPF. Prerequisites such as Microsoft's new unified build system, MSBuild, and core XAML constructs and syntax--including shortcuts--are all presented with plenty of examples to get you started. The Core XAML Reference section lets you dig even deeper into syntax rules and attributes for all XAML elements with a series of quick-reference chapters. This section divides XAML elements into logical categories of elements, controls, shapes and geometry, layout, animations, and transformations for easy reference.

XAML in a Nutshell helps you learn, firsthand, how to use this XML-based markup language to implement the new generation of user interface graphics. As one reviewer noted, "Strong code examples and an efficient, conversational style take the tedium out of learning XAML and make the subject understandable--even interesting."

About the Author
Lori MacVittie is currently a Senior Technology Editor with Network Computing Magazine. In past lives she has been a software developer, a network administrator, and an enterprise architect specializing in web-based technologies. Through the course of her career she has nearly coded her way through the alphabet, starting with Apple BASIC, hitting "L" for LISP while consulting for Autodesk, and is currently on the letter "Y". Lori holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Nova Southeastern University, and lives with her husband and children in the technological mecca of the midwest, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.; illustrated edition edition (March 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596526733
• ISBN-13: 978-0596526733
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #371,860 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More instruction than you find in most Nutshell books, April 3, 2006

By	calvinnme "Texan refugee" (Fredericksburg, Va) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Three months old and obsolete, January 15, 2007

By	Ari Telias (BC, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Basic Introduction to XAML, November 2, 2006

By	Daniel McKinnon (Tewksbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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