UWP Development, Order of Resource Application and Scope of Application

In Universal Windows Platform (UWP) development, “Resource” refers to reusable components for various elements.
Resources are primarily defined in XAML and exist in various forms such as styles, templates, images, and strings.
In this article, we will explain the order of application and scope of Resources in UWP development in detail and provide
example code to aid understanding.

1. Types of Resources

In UWP, Resources are divided into several types, each with different usage methods and application scopes.
Here we will introduce the most commonly used types of Resources.

  • XAML Resource Dictionary: A structure that groups multiple Resources for reuse.
  • StaticResource: A method that pre-loads resources when the application starts.
  • DynamicResource: Allows defining resources that can be changed later.
  • Styles and ControlTemplates: Define the style and template of UI elements to implement a consistent UI.

2. Order of Resource Application

When applying Resources in UWP, there is a specific order that determines how and to which elements Resources apply.
Resources are prioritized and applied in the following order.

  1. Local Resource: Resources defined directly within the XAML file take precedence.
  2. Page Resource: Resources defined on the XAML page are applied second.
  3. Application Resource: Resources defined within the App.xaml file are applied next.
  4. System Resource: The built-in default Resources of Windows are applied last.

3. Scope of Resource Application

Resources are used within a specific scope, which varies depending on where the Resource is defined.
The application scope of each Resource is as follows.

  • Local Resource: Local Resources are only valid within the corresponding XAML element.
  • Page Resource: Page Resources apply to all child elements within the corresponding XAML page.
  • Application Resource: Application Resources are accessible across all pages of the app and can be reused throughout the app.

4. Example Code

To understand the types, application order, and scope of Resources, let’s look at some example codes.

4.1 Local Resource Example


    <Grid>
        <Grid.Resources>
            <SolidColorBrush x:Key="LocalBrush" Color="Red"/>
        </Grid.Resources>
        <Rectangle Width="100" Height="100" Fill="{StaticResource LocalBrush}"/>
    </Grid>

4.2 Page Resource Example


    <Page.Resources>
        <Style x:Key="MyButtonStyle" TargetType="Button">
            <Setter Property="Background" Value="Blue"/>
            <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="White"/>
        </Style>
    </Page.Resources>

    <Button Style="{StaticResource MyButtonStyle}" Content="Click Me!" />

4.3 Application Resource Example


    <Application.Resources>
        <ResourceDictionary>
            <SolidColorBrush x:Key="AppBrush" Color="Green"/>
        </ResourceDictionary>
    </Application.Resources>

    <Rectangle Fill="{StaticResource AppBrush}" Width="100" Height="100"/>

5. Dynamic Changes to Resources

UWP also supports the ability to dynamically change Resources.
Using DynamicResource allows for runtime changes to Resources. 


    <Grid>
        <Grid.Resources>
            <SolidColorBrush x:Key="RectangleBrush" Color="Orange"/>
        </Grid.Resources>
        <Rectangle Width="100" Height="100" Fill="{DynamicResource RectangleBrush}"/>
    </Grid>

    // Dynamically change the Brush color
    var brush = (SolidColorBrush)Resources["RectangleBrush"];
    brush.Color = Colors.Purple;

6. Considerations When Using Resources

When using Resources, there are several considerations to keep in mind.

  • Memory Usage: Excessive resource usage may lead to memory issues, especially with large images or complex templates.
  • Permissions: Consider permission-related issues when accessing Resources.
  • Performance: Animated Resources or large images may affect application performance.

7. Conclusion

In UWP development, Resources are a powerful tool for efficiently managing and reusing UI components.
Understanding and applying the correct usage of Resources will greatly contribute to the quality of UWP application development.
We hope that through the types, application order, scope, and usage examples of Resources introduced in this article,
you can develop robust UWP applications.

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