Pro Windows 8 Development with HTML5 and JavaScript

Apps are at the heart of Windows 8, bringing rich and engaging experiences to both tablet and desktop users. Windows 8 uses the Windows Runtime (WinRT), a complete reimagining of Windows development that supports multiple programming languages and is built on HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. These applications are the future of Windows development and JavaScript is perfect language to take advantage of this exciting and flexible environment.

Seasoned author Adam Freeman explains how to get the most from WinRT and Windows 8 by focusing on the features you need for your project. He starts with the nuts-and-bolts and shows you everything through to advanced features, going in-depth to give you the knowledge you need.

Each topic is covered clearly and concisely and is packed with the details you need to learn to be truly effective. The most important features are given a no-nonsense in-depth treatment and chapters contain examples that demonstrate both the power and the subtlety of Windows 8, Windows Runtime and Javascript.

What you’ll learn

• Understand what Windows 8 apps and WinRT are capable of and why they are special
• Use advanced features to create immersive and engaging Windows 8 applications
•  Creating applications that work seamlessly on tablets and desktops
• Use cutting-edge features like WebSockets and Cloud Computing
• Prepare and deploy your applications
• Unit test, debug and performance-tune applications

Who this book is for

This book is suitable for anyone wanting to get to grips with Windows 8 development using the cross-platform standards of HTML5 and JavaScript. Basic coding knowledge is assumed but no Microsoft-specific assumptions are made.

Table of Contents

Part I – Getting Started
Chapter 1. Putting Windows 8 and WinRT in Context
Chapter 2. Preparing for Development
Chapter 3. HTML5 Primer
Chapter 4. CSS3 Primer
Chapter 5. JavaScript Language Primer

Part II – Core App Development
Chapter 6. A First Application
Chapter 7. Creating the Main UI
Chapter 8. Creating the Start Menu UI
Chapter 9. Handling Touch Events
Chapter 10. Dealing with I/O and Storage
Chapter 11. Using Networking and the Cloud
Chapter 12. Asynchronous Programming
Chapter 13. Using Data & Databases
Chapter 14. Windows 8 Platform Integration
Chapter 15. Using Geolocation
Chapter 16. Working with Multimedia

Part III – Packaging & Deployment
Chapter 17. Preparing for Deployment
Chapter 18. Dealing with licences, signing and the Windows store
Chapter 19. Using side-loading and Enterprise deployments
Chapter 20. Managing versions and telemetry

Part IV – Advanced Metro Development
Chapter 21. Sharing Data
Chapter 22. Developing with multiple programming languages
Chapter 23. Performance Tuning Applications
Chapter 24. Unit Testing JavaScript Applications
Chapter 25. Security & Cryptography
Chapter 26. Internationalization