Windows Longhorn Developer Beta Preview: Covers Avalon Windows Presentation Foundation and Indigo Windows Communication Foundation (Programmer to Programmer)

Professional WinFX Beta: Covers "Avalon" Windows Presentation Foundation and "Indigo" Windows Communication Foundation

Windows development is about to dramatically change! WinFX is an object-oriented API that will allow you to create applications that take advantage of the exciting features in Windows(r) Vista (previously known as "Longhorn") while remaining compatible with Windows(r)XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003. Written by a team of Microsoft experts, this book introduces you to the pillars of this next-generation operating system, guiding you through the Windows Presentation Foundation (previously known as "Avalon") and the Windows Communication Foundation (previously known as "Indigo").

You'll first learn how to use the new Windows Presentation Foundation to create effective forms, use the XAML markup language, work with 2D and 3D graphics, and see how XAML interoperates with existing Windows Forms technology. Then you'll discover how to build Web Services and improve communication capabilities with the Windows Communication Foundation and architecture. You'll learn how to migrate existing DCOM and .NET remoting applications to Windows Communication Foundation or to make them interoperate with Windows Communication Foundation. Finally you'll work with integrating Microsoft ADO.NET and ASP.NET with Windows Presentation Foundation forms and data in the WinFX framework.

What you will learn from this book

• Techniques for creating and deploying WinFX applications from scratch and upgrading your current Windows .NET applications to incorporate WinFX
• How to use XAML to build a variety of forms, from simple to complex implementations
• Best practices for working with the Windows Presentation Foundation's themes, controls, annotation, and 3D features
• To implement secure, reliable messaging and transactions with Windows Communication Foundation and Microsoft Message Queueing
• To work with WinFX on any supported platform: Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista
• How to develop and implement Web Services using the Windows Communication Foundation

Who this book is for

This book is for the experienced Windows .NET programmer who wants to learn how to develop complex applications using the innovative features of Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft's WinFX beta 1 framework, the Windows Presentation Foundation, and the Windows Communication Foundation.

Wrox Professional guides are planned and written by working programmers to meet the real-world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job.

Jean-Luc David is a Toronto-based software developer and consultant. He founded Stormpixel.com in 1998, where he specializes in web design and in developing custom desktop, Tablet and Windows Mobile applications for his clients. Jean-Luc has written many technical articles for companies such as ASPToday.com, C|NET and XML.COM. Jean-Luc has the unique distinction of being the first Canadian to receive the Microsoft .NET MVP Award.

Ron DeSerranno is the founder and CEO of Mobiform Software Ltd. His software development career first began at the Space and Atmospheric Research Group, Physics Department, at the University of Western Ontario. He was a Microsoft Certified Trainer and consultant and taught courses in both New York and Toronto. For five years, he was development lead and architect for Rockwell’s flagship Industrial Automation product RSView, an invaluable tool for globally scaled companies such as Kraft and General Motors. Other ventures include the establishment of BoardMaster Software and Motivus Software Ltd. Mr. DeSerranno is considered one of the leading authorities on XML-based graphics technologies and has been designing and developing world-class software products for many years. His current focus is on WinFX by Microsoft.

Bill Ryan is a Microsoft MVP in Windows Embedded Product group. He’s currently working as a senior software developer at InfoPro, Inc in Augusta, Georgia. He is a .NET enthusiast and spends a lot of time working with bleeding-edge technologies. His favorite areas in technology are ADO.NET, the Compact Framework, Microsoft Speech Server, Biztalk Server, and Yukon. Outside of technology, his interests include reading, cult movies, techno-music, and cuckoo clocks. You can usually find Bill in one of the Microsoft .NET newsgroups, his blog (www.msmvps.com/WilliamRyan) or some of his Web sites (www.knowdotnet.com, www.devbuzz.com).

Alexandra Young of Mobiform Software is the team leader for Avalon and XAML education as well as user interface design for Mobiform’s XAML Designer for WinFX, Aurora.
With over six years experience in web, multimedia, and database design, Alexandra has acquired necessary skills to program in XAML, ASP, ASP.Net, Visual Basic, VB.Net, T/SQL, and C#. Fully understanding the tools available to designers and developers has led to her passion for, success in, and drive to understand and evangelize new software technologies. These skills have been instrumental in the education of Mobiform’s customers.
Experience in various software products has given Alexandra a full understanding of the limitations and benefits of products produced by the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, and Macromedia. This knowledge has fueled her enthusiasm for the universal benefits of Microsoft’s “Avalon” API and XAML markup language. She knows that this technology will revolutionize the way we design and build Web and software applications.