Windows 8 Apps with HTML5 and JavaScript Unleashed

Stephen Walther

Nov 2012 · Sams Publishing

About this ebook

Already comfortable with JavaScript and HTML? Microsoft has just empowered you to build breakthrough apps for Windows 8. It’s a remarkable opportunity--and best-selling Microsoft web development author Stephen Walther will show you how to take full advantage of it.

Offering the same deep insight and practical code that has made his ASP.NET Unleashed the #1 ASP.NET book of all time, Walther covers everything you need to build, test, and distribute outstanding Windows 8 software with JavaScript and HTML5.

Walther clearly demonstrates the unique advantages Windows 8 offers to web developers. He guides you through using Microsoft’s new WinJS library to develop apps for Microsoft’s brand-new version of Windows--you learn how to use JavaScript templates, controls, and data binding. You’ll find in-depth coverage of everything from displaying data with a ListView control to supporting SkyDrive cloud storage, creating games to using IndexedDB and HTML5 forms.

If you’re a web developer, Windows 8 gives you millions of new potential users--and you already have many of the skills you’ll need to reach them. Get this book, master the tools and techniques you don’t already know--and go after that huge new market!

Detailed information on how to...

• Get your app published in the Windows Store
• Create apps that work great with touch, keyboard, stylus, and mouse
• Use JavaScript controls such as the Tooltip, Rating, DatePicker, and FlipView controls
• Thoroughly master using the WinJS ListView control to display, sort, and filter data
• Use HTML5 Canvas to build arcade games
• Store data on the local file system, via remote web services, or in IndexedDB databases
• Use Live Services to authenticate users, retrieve user profiles, and interact with SkyDrive
• Create custom WinJS controls with Page Controls
• Build apps that gracefully adapt to different screen resolutions and orientations
• Take pictures from your computer’s webcam and play sounds

About the author

Formerly a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, Stephen Walther now runs his own consulting and training company, www.SuperexpertTraining.com. He flies to companies and provides hands-on training on building Windows Store apps.

Stephen was completing his Ph.D. at MIT and teaching classes on metaphysics at MIT and Harvard when he abruptly realized that there is no money in metaphysics. He dropped out to help found two successful Internet startups. He created the Collegescape website, a website used by more than 200 colleges including Stanford, Harvard, and MIT for online college applications (sold to ETS). He also was a founder of CityAuction, which was one of the first and largest auction websites (sold to CitySearch).