Chapter Two : Windows Architecture

Here we are explaining you Windows Architecture; let’s start  learning happily & quickly :)

Client	Windows 8
Server	Windows Server 2012

The basic concept:

•  Windows 8 on x86/x64 is a dual-personality operating system.
•  It will run Metro-style apps and Desktop apps.
• Developers writing Metro apps will use the new Windows Runtime (WinRT) application programming interfaces (APIs).
• they'll still use good old Win32 and the full .Net Framework.

• CLR and .NET 4.5 are used for both Desktop Apps and Metro Style Apps
• Metro Style Apps uses WinRT APIs to communicate with Kernel (Green Background)
• Desktop Apps can still use C/C++, C#/VB.NET and  can have access to Win 32 API (Blue Background)

 

"For managed languages, WinRT is just another stack. The XAML stack (like in Silverlight) is in an unmanaged layer below .NET and it’s another incarnation of the BCL (Base Class Libraries), but with the same CLR.

the Windows team considers the supporting operating system fundamentals to be, and what is included in the three WinRT API groups:

Devices

Media

Communications/data.

 

Windows Store apps (Windows)

A Windows Store app is a new type of application that runs on Windows 8 devices.

.

Apps have one window that supports multiple views

A Windows Store app can support different layouts and views to create a fluid and harmonious experience across a variety of form factors and display sizes.

Apps work great with touch and pen input

Windows Store apps work smoothly with a variety of input sources, including touch, pen, mouse, and keyboard input.

Apps can talk to each other

App contracts are a way for users to seamlessly search across and share content between different apps. They extend the usefulness of your app by eliminating the need to work with varying standards or app-specific Apps have new controls and UI surfaces

The app bar

Outside of the app window, the app bar is the primary command interface for your app. Use the app bar to present navigation, commands, and tools to users.

The charms

The charms are a specific and consistent set of buttons in every app: search, share, connect, settings, and start. We believe these are core scenarios that every user wants to do in almost every app they use.

Apps use tiles instead of icons

When the user installs your app, it shows up as a tile on the Start screen. Touching or clicking the tile starts the app.

Your app can deliver content through its tile, even when its not running. Using these live tiles, your app can provide useful, at-a-glance data to the user, while minimizing battery usage.

 

You can develop Windows Store apps in a variety of languages:

If you know web development technologies, you can develop a Windows Store app using HTML5, Cascading Style Sheets, Level 3 (CSS3), and JavaScript.

If you have developed .NET, Windows Presentation Foundation, or Microsoft Silverlight applications, you can develop a Windows Store app using XAML, with code-behind in C++, C#, or Visual Basic.

If you know DirectX, you can develop a DirectX Windows Store app using native C++

By:

Khushbu Wadhwani,

Senior Windows app developer,

References:MSDN,Microsoft developer forum