Developing Windows Applications with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010

Module 1: Windows Client Application DesignThe 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 4The goal of this module is to introduce students to the new features that Visual Studio 2010 and WPF version 4 provideLessons

• 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 InterfaceThe 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 InterfaceThe 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 DebuggingThe 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 scenariosLessons

• 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 ValidationThe 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 CollectionsThe 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
• Customize data display by using data templates
• Present data collections at design time

Module 8: Enhancing UI ResponsivenessThe 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

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement asynchronous processes
• Implement responsive user interfaces

Module 9: Integrating Localization and User Assistance FeaturesThe 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

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe WPF localization and globalization features
• Implement localized WPF applications
• Implement user assistance features
• Provide user accessibility features

Module 10: WPF 2D Graphics, Multimedia, and PrintingThe 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 CustomizationThe 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

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 Behaviors in WPFThe 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

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe WPF attached properties
• Implement drag and drop
• Implement Expression Blend behaviors

Module 13: Animations in WPFThe 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

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 visualizations by using WPF

Module 14: Application State, Settings, and LifecycleThe 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 ApplicationsThe 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:s

• Explain deployment options
• Deploy a standalone WPF application by using a Setup and Deployment project
• Deploy a ClickOnce application
• Configure security settings