MSDN Documentation

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) is a unified programming model, a presentation API in .NET Framework version 3.0 and later, that creates rich, client-side applications. WPF enables you to create a new generation of applications that are visually stunning, interactive, and data-driven. It offers a declarative programming model using Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) and a powerful, flexible object model for building user interfaces and business logic.

Key Features of WPF

• Declarative UI with XAML: Design your user interfaces using XAML, a declarative XML-based language. This separates the UI design from the application logic, enabling designers and developers to work more efficiently.
• Resolution Independence: Applications created with WPF are resolution-independent, meaning they scale seamlessly across different screen resolutions and DPI settings without loss of quality.
• Rich Graphics and Media: WPF provides built-in support for 2D and 3D graphics, animations, audio, video, and rich text rendering, allowing for highly engaging user experiences.
• Data Binding: A powerful data binding engine simplifies the process of connecting UI elements to data sources, enabling dynamic and responsive applications.
• Styles and Templates: Customize the look and feel of UI elements extensively using styles and control templates, promoting consistent branding and application design.
• Document Support: WPF includes robust support for creating and displaying documents, including features like fixed-document and flow-document layouts.
• Vector Graphics: Unlike traditional Windows UI, WPF uses vector graphics, ensuring that UI elements are sharp and clear at any resolution.

Getting Started with WPF

To begin developing WPF applications, you typically need Visual Studio and the .NET Framework installed. Here's a simple "Hello, World!" example using XAML:

<Window x:Class="MyWpfApp.MainWindow"
        xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
        Title="My WPF App" Height="300" Width="400">
    <Grid>
        <TextBlock Text="Hello, WPF World!" VerticalAlignment="Center" HorizontalAlignment="Center" FontSize="24"/>
    </Grid>
</Window>

This XAML defines a basic window with a `TextBlock` displaying "Hello, WPF World!" in the center. The application logic would be written in a corresponding C# or VB.NET code-behind file.

Learning Resources

• WPF Overview Documentation
• XAML Basics for WPF
• Data Binding in WPF
• WPF Control Gallery
• WPF Samples and Tutorials

Explore the wealth of features and possibilities that WPF offers to create sophisticated and visually appealing Windows desktop applications.