[Q] Where to start the development from basics? - Windows Phone 7 Software Development

I just got the WP7 SDK, was looking to make some very simply and basic apps. Can anyone link me to some website or forum where I can get some coding help or some tutorial which guides from the very basics? I found a few articles but those weren't from the basics at all, I got stuck at a number of places while following it.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff431744.aspx#BKMK_GettingStarted
Here ya go

I’d recommend just trying to write a really simple app first – just something that has a bit of text, maybe some pictures, on screen and lets you tap some things. If you haven’t chosen between using Visual Basic or C# as the language to learn yet I would choose C# as it’s more popular, and also used more in industry.
This seems to be a good link for beginners as it has lots of videos – don’t know whether it’s the right level for you though but give it a go. It’s not the latest version of wp7, but the techniques haven’t changed much – just a few new things added.
http://channel9.msdn.com/Series/Windows-Phone-7-Development-for-Absolute-Beginners
I found this that’s an example of a complete ‘first’ application for wp7 mango
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg680270(v=pandp.11).aspx
This is a fantastic link once you’ve written your first simple app as it has an example of how to do everything on windows phone (tiles, photos, play music, etc. etc.…)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff431744(v=vs.92).aspx
There’s lots of tutorials out on the web if you search. You also need to know this link if you don’t already as it’s the kind of front page for wp7 development:
http://create.msdn.com/
Here’s lot of videos for using the software expression blend. You don’t need to learn expression blend at first as visual studio does everything – but if you do you can make your apps looks beautiful really easily, and it make some parts of wp7 development (the ‘XAML’) a lot easier to write than using Visual Studio.
http://expression.microsoft.com/en-us/cc197141
Hope that helps,
Ian

Related

Android application developer Guides (for Dummies!)

Hi all,
I created this thread to collect informations, suggestions and links for who want to start learning developing android applications, whitout being an expert developer.
I like programming (vb6, vb.net ) but I don't know anything about android and linux, and just a little about java... Now I bought an Hero and I met android world... I downladed Eclipse IDE, Android SDK and I starded with dev guide on SDK... I just take a look to helloandorid application... it works! and now? In the xml layout seems easy to add View like buttons or text... but how can I handle to the user actions like the button click? in vb is simple to manage the buttonpressed event...!
If someone knows some simple guides about java, eclipse and android, please let links on this thread!
Thank you!
This one's awesome for learning how to create widgets:
http://nm-blog.sanid.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/android_howto-hellowidget.pdf
here are some other resources you could easily find by using google search:
http://www.helloandroid.com/tutorials
http://nexsoftware.net/wp/2009/07/29/tutorial-creating-a-custom-analogclock-widget/
http://www.anddev.org/index.php
Other than that, just start from the simplest Hello World -examples on Google's own Android site.
I'm going to start leurning Android programming
If ill find nice links i will post them here. Is there btw a way to program inside visual studio? Cuz all tutorials on the net are using eclipse.
You'll need to use Eclipse to my knowledge as its all Java based. The other alternatives are the IntelliJ plugin and doing it all from Command line/Text Editor.
Back to the Topic, I'm just trying my hand at a little Android development this week too, the tutorials and manuals at developer.android.com have been great!
Another thing, while I remember, if you've done any sort of .NET/ASP.NET development before you should find it a breeze, apart from the lack of Visual Studio (best IDE that ever was), they're VERY similar compared to some other languages/technologies I've used.
HeY Furios, Im new to android dev also, so if you don't mind, I would like to follow you and share any info I find with you and to whom ever else would like any info...Thanx
SDK 2.1
Hi Guys,
I went onto the SE developer site and got he x10 SDK, but it only gives me the choice for a 1.6 virtual Machine. Is there another place that I have to go to get the SDK for 2.1?
Thanks.
It would be cool to learn how to develop roms as well...or is that much deeper?
Well guy's start here on this thread first >>>http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667298
Made me think
need minor help!
im actually developing a few games, but im running into some seemingly basic issues, that i seem i cannot get to work. basically a button mash game, single/multi player, well on multi player i cannot for my life get the multi player functions to work, as in in the end the game already knows who the winner is based on an integer score, then it is supposed to use an sqlite database to take the highest scored player such as P1 or P2 and allow them to input there name to be permanently displayed. it cannot seem to differentiate using IF statements, but the feature does work with single player flawlessly, i may link source code if asked, TY

My First App, Need Serious Help :/

Hey guys, like the title says, I'm attempting to create an app, but with little success at this point.
What I want to do, didn't sound all that complicated in my head. I want to make an episode guide for a TV show I like. Nothing too fancy, but I do want it to look WP7-authentic.
First off, I don't know or really understanding coding in the slightest. I was hoping to be able to design most of the app through the on-screen WP7 display, which it seems I can do a lot on.
From what I've gathered, here's what I'd like to do:
Use the "Pivots" as the different story arcs or "seasons"
Within each pivot, Episode # and Title
But I'd also like to go one further and have each episode be clickable, which would take the user to a page containing info about the respective episode. Synopsis, International Titles, Airdate, etc.
It's a big project, I just need a little help getting it going.
Thanks!
dbG33K
what you're describing can be done one of two ways.
1. just display images after images
2. input text into the program
from what im gathering, it should be fairly easy for you to do as this is the sort of beginner stuff in most windows phone 7 programming books. id suggest you look into programming because even the slightest pivots and transitions require code.
now if you were on android or webos, thats different. they have full on graphics based programming thats a simple matter of drag and drop and choose function.
Download Expression Blend. You can do pretty much everything without having to write any code. It includes a "Pivot" template which has a pivot all ready for you, then you just add PivotItems using your mouse. Then you can use the Sample Data feature to mock up how your episode data will look.
The only thing you would have to write code for would be to pull the episode information from a datasource. Bind it to your controls and Expression will have the rest done for you.
http://www.microsoft.com/expression/windowsphone/
Sample Data:
http://expression.microsoft.com/en-us/ee426896.aspx
First thing you'll need before you even open Visual Studio or Blend is a data feed.
An rss feed is ideal, And I'm sure theres alot of them out there for TV listings. Without that, theres little you can do (other than screen scraping websites, but people don't look too kindly on that)
If you can find me a Url for the RSS feed you want to use, I'll be more than willing to help you out
xanderkaiber said:
First thing you'll need before you even open Visual Studio or Blend is a data feed.
An rss feed is ideal, And I'm sure theres alot of them out there for TV listings. Without that, theres little you can do (other than screen scraping websites, but people don't look too kindly on that)
If you can find me a Url for the RSS feed you want to use, I'll be more than willing to help you out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said
I'd be willing to help you out as well. I'm in the process of writing a feed reader to help me make the move WP7 from WPF/Silverlight. The idea I have for the UI is similar to yours and the feed reader (at least in the basic form) will be open source so I've no problem sharing my code...
I appreciate your willingness to help me out, but it's actually a series that has been over for quite a while.
Hey guys, I've gotten much further on my app and have become a little more well-acquainted with coding in the form of using Expression Blend 4. That said, I do have a few questions:
1. After making a few pages, I decided to make a sort of Welcome page for my app. How do I tell it to show that page first instead of "MainPage.xaml"?
2. On that welcome page, I would like to make a button that pulls up the user's E-mail and have it have my e-mail as the recipient.
Thanks a bunch!
This is in the WMAppManifest.xml file within the Properties folder.
for the email look into the email compose task
barryallott said:
This is in the WMAppManifest.xml file within the Properties folder.
for the email look into the email compose task
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't really help me too much...
What am I supposed to do in the WMAppManifest.xml?
And where do I find the email compose task, and how do I implement it into the app?
EDIT: Nevermind, I figured out both of those questions. A new question, though: How do I take screen shots of the app? I need at least one to submit it to the marketplace, but I don't know how :/
dbG33K said:
That doesn't really help me too much...
What am I supposed to do in the WMAppManifest.xml?
And where do I find the email compose task, and how do I implement it into the app?
EDIT: Nevermind, I figured out both of those questions. A new question, though: How do I take screen shots of the app? I need at least one to submit it to the marketplace, but I don't know how :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download this:
http://www.innovativetechguy.com/?p=13
Make sure your emulator is set to 100% size and uncheck the "Show Device" checkbox in the tool. That will give you the necessary 480x800 sized .png
There's a fair lot you can do using the designer panel, but you will definitely need C# code for what happens 'behind the curtains'. Things like pulling the episodes from the internet and such.
I definitely recommend these tutorials:
Windows Phone 7 Development for Absolute Beginners.
It builds up slowly, but definitely gives you the foundation you need to put together basic applications.
Hey guys I found this thread and after reading it I feel I have a lot in common with dbG33K's tasks & questions. I feel I have a lot to offer WP7 apps as I learn more! I started out in January learning and studying as an absolute beginner (even did the 5 day course online). After a lot of studying, I felt confident enough to write my first BIG app.
I'm pretty good at the xaml part and getting real familiar with c# as I go along. Also, I think I have all the pieces I need, just need help putting it all together. I'm using an API for the data source (i have all the dlls and resources in place even all the c# methods for the API).
I have the UI all put together, now working on the c#. I'm just unsure on the binding part. I know my listboxes and other controls should be binded to a method in c#, but what calls that method? When the page loads that listbox, textblock, etc? Also, what kind of coding is generally used inside the {} of the methods that pulls info from the datasource?
As I have learned a lot aver the past couple of months, I find that I've learned it from examples I've found online, but I'm drawing a blank on this one. Any help would be great!
Thanks!
Do any of you can tellme how can I save text from the text box??
Sent from my LG-C900 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Microsoft Research Touch Studio

I've recently come across the Touch Studio app and I'm loving everything about it so far. The only thing I haven't been able to find is an English forum with ideas and example codes, yes I know most of the code in Touch Studio is still fairly simple and self-explanatory but it would be nice to see what others are managing with it.
I have come across a Swiss site that has a few nice codes and some other awesome stuff. It would be awesome if we could start something like that here. I've now stopped playing in my spare time (sorry devs) and messing around with Touch Studio. This is just another thing that seperates WP7 from the rest, hope MS keeps up the good work.
For those who have never seen Touch Studio before you can find more info here:
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/touchstudio/
So is it a good place for someone who hasn't done any code or programming a good place to start? Can you use what you write for the phone it is on or does it still have to go to marketplace before it can be used and you have to download what you wrote from the marketplace to use it yourself? Answered. Do you have to get a dev permit(or whatever it is called) from MS to use the program at all? Answered.
Sorry just listened to podcast 48 on Social Times and the stuff you write is only on the phone, not sharable currently. So just the first question for anyone that have used it.
I have coded a few apps for personal use on my phone, and I would suggest microsoft visual studio for coding apps for WP7. There are great tutorials on the microsoft app hub website for first-time coders. I cant post links, but search microsoft app hub and have a look around that website. Very helpful
Yeah, as you noted the apps you write are only useable on your phone. But the latest version has an option for you to share the code.
I'm not sure how easy it would be for someone with zero experience. I did some very basic programming in Visual Basic 4 ages ago so I have the basic understanding of the simplest commands (e.g. IF THEN WHILE etc.). I don't think it is that hard to understand and should only take an hour or so to fully grasp the concept. There are some excellent tutorials online as well.
(Why) is TouchStudio no longer downloadable?
meegulthwarp said:
I've recently come across the Touch Studio app and I'm loving everything about it so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Folks, I have been wanting to try out developing some codes ever since I became aware of Touch Studio (a week or so back). Any idea why Touch Studio is NOT downloadable of late? It appears in Zune and you can read the description but no download facility is available. If the information helps - am using HTC Mozart, T-Mobile, based in Germany. Many thanks!
I was able to download it and run it. Using Samsung focus mango beta 7712
@Jason: Thanks Jason; I'll await the official Mango update (no clue when in Germany / T-Mobile); may be it will work out fine automatically thereafter. I got a comment from TouchStudioApp on Facebook: "we are sorry for the inconvenience; please stay tuned for the next update". Have asked them whether it's Mango or the next TouchStudio app they are talking about.
Yeah, I guess they took it offline till Mango, hope they have something exciting in store with the new APIs and such that Mango will bring.
well, i would love to see someone uploading the xap
edit: downloaded touchdevelop
Just recieved an update for TouchStudio it is now called TouchDevelop. Now it is at v2.0. The whole interface has been redesigned, you can now download and post scripts within the app and they have also revamped various other things. Slightly confusing at the moment but will have a look tonight to work the whole thing out.

Transition from Android to Web App?

Namaste my fellow developers.
I am a rather young developer, who started off with Android and have developed about 10-15 apps till today out of which 2 are up on Google Play.
Just to increase my knowledge and sector I was planning to make a shift into web apps. I did learn Java specifically for Android but want to get my hands on the other platforms as well. So my questions, Sirs and Madams, are:
1.Technically, How is Android and Web Apps different?
2.Should I make the transition?
3.How do i start? (some resources would be helpful)
All and Every feedback would be appreciated. Thank YOU!
hi karantrehan, my two cents on the matter
1. you can think of a web app as a web site running inside an Android Webview, with all its files (html, images, javascripts, css, ...) bundled inside the app. The enclosing app just launches an Activity with a webview, everything else is done by html and javascript (although you can bind java code to javascript function to exploit Android's APIs).
2. It depends: I think web apps are a viable choice in two situations:
you're a web developer that want to build an app without having to learn Android
you want to build a cross-platform app, reaching Android, iOS, WP without learning every single language
Otherwise, I would not advise it, I don't see particular advantages... unless you want to learn something new!
3. for the Android integration part, take a look here: developer.android.com/guide/webapps/webview.html
For the html/css/js part.... well, web development is as old as the web itself, there are tons of guides out there Don't miss some helpful projects like jQuery Mobile.
karantrehan said:
Namaste my fellow developers.
I am a rather young developer, who started off with Android and have developed about 10-15 apps till today out of which 2 are up on Google Play.
Just to increase my knowledge and sector I was planning to make a shift into web apps. I did learn Java specifically for Android but want to get my hands on the other platforms as well. So my questions, Sirs and Madams, are:
1.Technically, How is Android and Web Apps different?
2.Should I make the transition?
3.How do i start? (some resources would be helpful)
All and Every feedback would be appreciated. Thank YOU!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Web Apps are made using multiple languages. Front-side/Client-side, they are developed in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Out of the three, JavaScript is the only programming language. HTML is a markup language, and CSS is used for UI and UX. You could also use the Dart language. Dart is a new client-side language developed by Google. Currently, however, no major browser supports it (not even Google Chrome), and so in the end, it gets compiled into JavaScript.
Server-side (backend), there are a multitude of programming languages you could use. Java (through JSP), PHP, Ruby on Rails, Python. Typically you're using PHP and SQL for anything in regards to a database.
Web Apps can be hosted in a browser, or you can submit them into App Stores using things like Apache Cordava.
2. As a developer of any sort, you should always improve and learn new languages. Its better for marketability, improves your skillset, and overall can make you a better developer. So, in the end, the choice is up to you. I would highly recommend you to do so.
3. There are tons of resources available. You can search for tutorials on google or youtube. When I got started, I used w3schools to learn HTML, CSS, and PHP. I would really recommend using YouTube as well if you are a visual learner like me.
1. Like reProgrammed said, web apps are a bit different in that there's a couple of layers to them as opposed to Android apps. The back-end logic that does your database fetches and such is programmed in PHP, Python, ASP.NET (C#/VB.NET), etc. The front-end website, the pages and stuff you interact with, are done with primarily (X)HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. And for databases you've got SQL Server or MySQL, mainly.
2. Absolutely. I'm a developer myself, professionally and as a hobby, and it's never a bad idea to learn a new language or framework or environment. It'll make you a better developer and can get you jobs, or foot in the door, if that's your profession.
3. I don't really have many resources. However, in the past I've used:
W3Schools
MSDN (for C#)
Stack Overflow
Google
And then there's always books. They can get outdated but they can be great resources. I still sometimes refer to my "Android for Dummies" book when I'm working on my Android app, even though I Google search more often. Hope that helps.

Where to begin for making useful apps?

Hey all
I have been building sites for a long time and I am pretty confident in modern frameworks like Bootstrap etc. I have played about with JQuery Mobile and UI. I know how to make mobile sites from a front end side. I understand that I could upload my site to PhoneGap and turn it into a native app.
However, I would love to know how to make useful, dynamic apps. For a very basic example, developing an app to find pizza shops in the local area.
I know how to make mobile sites easily enough. I just don't really understand how to link that up with APIs etc , or even where to begin. If someone could point me in the right direction for where I could experiment with this I would be really grateful .
I have read some API info, but I don't know how to use it at all.
I'd start with building a small app that uses some public REST api. Such as a reddit or craigslist client. This will let you learn how REST APIs work in general. Once you get the hang of it, you can build your own REST APIs.
Just pick some RESTful API to get data and then process it some way. For example you may try LinkedIn API (can't post links, lol - just google "linkedin rest api" and you'll get it).
Probably the most useful quick exercise for you would be to check the documentation of an easier API, get a tool which can be used for REST testing and just play around with it. For this purpose, I'm using Paw on my Mac, which is a really friendly tool, but after reaching a basic level of understanding how things work you can do the same with cURL, in Python or whatever you fancy. I bet there are good web tools for this purpose as well, I just never had to use any.

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