Developing Windows Applications with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010

Course Objectives:

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

Course 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.

Course PreRequisites:

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 statements
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
Basics of LINQ to SQL
Implementing basic security best practices in .NET Applications
Basics of Code Access Security
Basics of Role-Based Security
Basics of Cryptography Services
Implementing basic service calls
Basics of consuming XML Web Services
Basics of consuming WCF Services
Using .NET Configuration Files
Deploying .Net Framework Applications using ClickOnce and the MS Installer

Course Outline:

Module 1: Windows Client Application Design
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Parallelizing Tasks

Module 9: Integrating Localization and User Assistance Features
The goal of this module is to teach students how to implement localization, user assistance, and accessibility features within an application.

Lessons
Localization and Globalization
Implementing User Assistance Features
Providing User Accessibility Features

Lab : Localizing a WPF Application
Preparing for Localization for the LocBAML Approach
Localizing Resources by Using LocBAML
Preparing for Localization by Using Strongly Typed Resources
Localizing Resources by Using Strongly Typed Resources
Choosing a Localization Approach

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

Module 11: Control Customization
The goal of this module is to teach students how to customize 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

Module 12: Attached Properties and Behaviors in WPF
The goal of this module is to teach the students how to implement application behaviors based on user actions or application events by using attached properties and Expression Blend behaviors.

Lessons
Implementing Attached Properties
Implementing Drag-and-Drop User Interfaces
Implementing Expression Blend Behaviors, Triggers and Actions

Lab : Implementing Drag-and-Drop Operations
Implementing Drag-and-Drop Operations
Implementing Expression Blend Behaviors

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 visualization 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 Visualizations

Lab : Creating Animations
Creating Animations Declaratively
Creating Animations Dynamically
Creating Routed Events
Handling Routed Events

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

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