Designing Windows apps with Xaml
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This document discusses XAML and how it is used to define user interfaces for Windows apps. It covers what XAML is, common XAML namespaces and constructs, XAML syntax, layout controls like Canvas, StackPanel and Grid, and child layout properties that control element positioning and sizing. It recommends Microsoft documentation resources for learning more about designing Windows apps with XAML.
Designing Windows apps with Xaml
- 2. What is XAML? • XAML – eXtensible Application Markup Language • Object instantiation and property setting • Define UI in declarative fashion
- 3. XAML Namespaces 1 2 3 4 5 1. Maps the overall XAML client / framework as the default namespace 2. Maps common programming constructs and data intrinsics to the x: namespace – x:Name, x:Boolean, etc. 3. Maps the current app C# namespace to local: 4. Maps the Blend namespace to d: 5. Maps the Markup Compatibility to mc: Allows the use of mc:ignorable to prevent the XAML processor raising errors on namespaces
- 4. Common x: constructs Term Description x:Key Unique key for an entry in a resource dictionary x:Class Specifies the code namespace and class name fro the code-behind for a XAML page x:Name Specifies the instance name for the object created when a XAML element is processed at run-time. Essentially creates a backing variable with the name. x:Uid Identifies elements that use localized resources x:Bind New for Windows 10 and is an alternative to {Binding} XAML Intrinsic Types The types that can be used for simple value-types in resources – i.e. • x:Boolean • x:String • x:Null
- 5. Markup Extensions Term Description {Binding} Supports data binding {StaticResource} References resources defined in a Resource Dictionary {ThemeResource} Similar to {StaticResource} but can respond to run-time theme changes {TemplateBinding} A special type of {Binding} that supports control templates {RelativeSource} Allows template bindings to reference values from the templated parent {CustomResource} Enables advanced resource lookup scenarios
- 6. • Elements • Containers • Properties • Attached Properties • Collection Syntax XAML Syntax
- 7. XAML Code XAML vs Code
- 8. Why do we need layout controls? • Manual positioning / Fixed layout are not responsive • Layout is a result of interaction between parent and child elements: – Parent to Child: “How much space do you want?” – Child to Parent: “I would like (width, height) based on my content” – Parent considers constraints and other children… – Parent to Child: “You have (width1, height1) at location (x,y)” • Different layout controls apply different constraints
- 9. Child Layout Properties • Input – Height & Width – try to avoid setting explicitly – MinHeight & MinWidth – MaxHeight & MaxWidth • Output – DesiredSize – calculated during layout – RenderSize* – size after layout is complete – ActualHeight & ActualWidth* – height and width from RenderSize • Note: Elements try to render as small as possible * Only safe to rely on in LayoutUpdated
- 10. Child Layout Properties • HorizontalAlignment – Left, Center, Right and Stretch • VerticalAlignment – Top, Center, Bottom and Stretch • Configures element alignment within their parent
- 11. Child Layout Properties • HorizontalContentAlignment – Left, Center, Right and Stretch • VerticalContentAlignment – Top, Center, Bottom and Stretch • Configures content alignment within the element
- 12. Child Layout Properties • Margin – All FrameworkElements – Controls space around the *outside* of the element • Padding – All Controls – Controls space around the *inside* of the element • Visibility – Visible & Collapsed – Collapsed elements have no size – Collapsed elements are still instantiated
- 13. Child Layout Properties No Parent Padding Parent Padding First Rectangle Margin
- 14. RenderTransforms • Note that render transformations occur after layout, so they do not impact their container sizing:
- 15. Layout Controls - Canvas • Layout children using fixed positioning via attached properties: – Canvas.Left & Canvas.Top
- 16. Layout Controls - StackPanel • Arranges children in a simple line – either vertically or horizontally
- 17. Layout Controls - Grid • Arranges children in a multi-row and multi-column layout – Grid.Row, Grid.Column, Grid.RowSpan, Grid.ColumnSpan
- 18. Layout Controls - VariableSizedWrapGrid Arranges elements in rows or columns that wrap as needed or when the MaximumRowsOrColumns is reached.
- 19. Layout Controls - RelativePanel Arranges children relative to the panel and/or other elements
- 20. Recommended Resources • https://dev.windows.com/ • MSDN Windows 10 XAML Overview – https://msdn.microsoft.com/en- us/library/windows/apps/mt185595.aspx