User Interfaces in C#: Windows Forms and Custom Controls

IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, a deluge of .NET books has hit store shelves, each one eager to explain the new programming philosophy of the .NET world. In the excitement, many of these books have left out the tricks and insights you need to really master .NET programming. Part of the problem is that no single work can cover the entire .NET platform-a sprawling, ambitious framework that revolu- tionizes everything from Internet applications to data access technology. Many .NET books provide a good overview of essential concepts, but they can't deal with the subtleties needed for all types of development. This book represents the start of the second wave of .NET books: closely focused works that give you the insight of experienced developers about a single aspect of .NET programming. User Interfaces in C#: Windows Forms and Custom Controls takes a close look at all the ingredients you can use to design state-of-the- art application interfaces. It also delves into entirely new topics like custom control design and GDI+, the next-generation painting framework for Windows. You don't just learn about anchoring and docking, you work with examples that show document-view architecture, custom control layout engines, dockable windows, and hit testing with owner-drawn controls. You also learn how to design irregularly shaped forms, unshackle data binding, and build an integrated help system.…