XAML, the Extensible Application Markup Language, is an XML-based language that Microsoft first developed for Windows Presentation Foundation, its client application UI tool. (In fact, the "A" initially stood for Avalon, the code name for WPF). It provides a code-behind file for rich UI elements like graphics, animation and even video.
XAML is a central part of development not just with WPF but also with Silverlight, Microsoft's technology for building Rich Internet Applications, and with Expression, a set of products for designers.
This Learning Guide introduces developers to XAML best practices with a variety of articles, tutorials and webcasts. It also links to free and commercial plug-ins that make XAML easier to use. If you have any resources that you would like to share, or have suggestions for a future Learning Guide topic, let me know .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 | XAML Quick Start |
This section defines XAML, answers some frequently asked questions, peers a bit into the language's history and provides some resources for putting XAML into action with Windows Presentation Foundation and Silverlight. After perusing this section, move onto the next section of the XAML Learning Guide and check out some articles and blog entries that dive a little deeper.
WhatIs definition:
XAML (The Extensible Application Markup Language)
"XAML, Extensible Application Markup Language, is Microsoft's XML-based language for creating a rich graphical user interface….XAML was introduced in 2003 as the language behind Windows Presentation Foundation, then known as Avalon."
XAML FAQ (Longhorn Corner)
This brief article looks at how XAML is used and explains its relationship with Visual Basic, C#, WinForms and ASP.NET.
Introduction to XAML (Longhorn Corner)
This article provides an overview of attributes and event handlers and shows how to get two controls to talk to each other.
A brief history of XAML (Chris Anderson's blog)
This post was published in 2003, but it offers a succinct analysis of Microsoft's thinking behind how XAML would work. "[W]e decided that the markup should be a new format that was, in fact, a persistence format for .NET objects," Anderson notes before presenting four general rules for XAML.
Microsoft's seven goals for XAML (Rob Relyea's blog)
So what was Microsoft thinking when it created XAML? Well, it needed to be XML, it needed to behave like ASP.NET or DHTML, it needed strong typing, and it needed to do much more than just define UI elements. Find more insight here.
Why do we need XAML? (.NET Questions on Joel on Software blog)
This discussion string offers some additional perspective, from folks who do not work in Redmond, on the uses of XAML, its ties to Windows Presentation Foundation and its use as code-behind for designers.
A Guided Tour of WPF, Part 1 (XAML) (The Code Project)
Here Josh Smith dives into the basic syntax of XAML, how the code is compiled and what it looks like alongside C#.
Working with the XAML TextBox control (C# Corner)
This tutorial offers a brief demonstration of how to create the basic, yet oft-used, TextBox control using XAML.
Windows Presentation Foundation Learning Guide (SearchVB.com)
WPF is one place where you will find yourself using XAML. This learning guide provides some perspective on using Microsoft's new framework for creating rich client applications.
Silverlight Learning Guide (SearchVB.com)
Silverlight is another place where you will find yourself using XAML. This learning guide provides some perspective on using Microsoft's new framework for creating rich Internet applications.
*** Go on to the next section of the XAML Learning Guide: XAML Articles and Blog Entries
XAML Quick Start
