MSDN Documentation

What are Modern Apps?

Modern Windows applications, often referred to as Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps or Windows App SDK applications, are designed to run across a wide range of Windows devices. They offer:

• Adaptive UI: Automatically adjust to different screen sizes and input methods (touch, mouse, keyboard).
• Integrated Platform Features: Seamless access to Windows features like notifications, live tiles, and background tasks.
• Modern Development Tools: Utilize powerful IDEs like Visual Studio and modern programming languages like C#, C++, or JavaScript.
• App Store Distribution: Easy deployment and updates through the Microsoft Store.

Key Technologies and Frameworks

Explore the core technologies and frameworks that empower modern app development on Windows:

• Windows App SDK: The latest evolution of Windows app development, providing a unified set of APIs and tools.
• WinUI 3: The modern native UI platform for building Windows applications.
• XAML: A declarative markup language for designing user interfaces.
• .NET: A versatile framework for building Windows apps with C# or Visual Basic.
• WebView2: Embed web content directly into your native Windows applications.

Getting Started with Your First Modern App

Ready to build your first modern application? Follow these steps:

1. Install Visual Studio: Download and install the latest version of Visual Studio with the necessary workloads for Windows development.
2. Create a New Project: Select a Windows App SDK or UWP project template.
3. Design Your UI: Use XAML to define your application's layout and controls.
4. Implement Functionality: Write code in C# or your preferred language to add features and logic.
5. Test and Debug: Utilize Visual Studio's debugging tools to ensure your app works as expected.
6. Package and Deploy: Prepare your app for distribution through the Microsoft Store or other channels.

Code Example: A Simple Button Click

Here's a basic XAML and C# example to demonstrate a button click event:

<Grid>
    <Button Content="Click Me" Click="MyButton_Click"/>
</Grid>

private void MyButton_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    // Display a message dialog
    var dialog = new ContentDialog()
    {
        Title = "Hello",
        Content = "You clicked the button!",
        CloseButtonText = "Close"
    };
    await dialog.ShowAsync();
}