UWP Development, Screen Finishing

UWP (Universal Windows Platform) development is a way to build applications targeting Microsoft’s Windows 10 platform. UWP is designed as a framework that can run on various devices, such as mobile, tablet, and PC, providing user interface (UI), data models, and integrated features of Windows. This course covers various topics about the process of practically finishing the screen of a UWP application.

1. Understanding UWP Screen Components

The screen composition of a UWP application is made up of various UI controls. These UI controls provide ways for users to interact with the application. In UWP, the following key controls can be used:

  • Button: Used to create a clickable button.
  • TextBox: A text field for user input.
  • ListView: Can list data in a list format.
  • Grid: Used to arrange UI elements in a grid manner.
  • StackPanel: Arranges child elements vertically or horizontally.

2. Building UI with XAML

The UI of a UWP application is written in XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language), allowing the definition of the application’s structure and layout. Below is a simple example of XAML.

<Page
    x:Class="MyApp.MainPage"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:local="using:MyApp"
    xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
    xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
    mc:Ignorable="d">
    <Grid>
        <StackPanel>
            <TextBlock Text="Hello, UWP!" FontSize="30" HorizontalAlignment="Center" />
            <Button Content="Click Me" Click="Button_Click" />
            <TextBox x:Name="InputBox" Width="300" />
        </StackPanel>
    </Grid>
</Page>

The above example sets up a simple initial screen for a UWP application. It includes a text block, button, and text box, providing functionality for user input.

3. Event Handling and User Interaction

To handle user interaction in a UWP application, events must be defined. Let’s look at how to handle events such as button clicks. The C# code that handles the button click event in the above XAML example is as follows.

private void Button_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    string userInput = InputBox.Text;
    // Add necessary logic
    // For example, display the user's input
    MessageBox.Show($"User input: {userInput}");
}

In the click event, the value from the text box is retrieved, and information is provided to the user via a message box.

4. Optimizing Screen Layout

It is important to optimize the layout of a UWP application, considering various devices and resolutions. UWP supports Adaptive Triggers, allowing different layouts to be applied based on screen resolution or orientation. Below is a simple example of an Adaptive Trigger.

<VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
    <VisualStateGroup x:Name="AdaptiveStates">
        <VisualState x:Name="NarrowState">
            <Storyboard>
                <DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="MyGrid" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Width" To="300" Duration="0:0:0.5" />
            </Storyboard>
        </VisualState>
        <VisualState x:Name="WideState">
            <Storyboard>
                <DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="MyGrid" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Width" To="600" Duration="0:0:0.5" />
            </Storyboard>
        </VisualState>
    </VisualStateGroup>
</VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>

The above code is an example of applying different animation effects depending on whether the screen width is wide or narrow.

5. Improving User Experience (UX)

Here are a few tips for improving user experience.

  • Consistent Colors and Fonts: Use the same fonts and colors in the user interface to create a unified feel.
  • Provide Feedback: Use effects or message boxes that appear after button clicks to provide feedback to users.
  • Consider Accessibility: Take into account elements for color-blind and visually impaired users to ensure usability for a diverse audience.

6. Preparing for Application Deployment

Once the screen is complete, the final step is to prepare the application for deployment. UWP applications can be deployed to the Windows Store.

  1. Build the project in Visual Studio.
  2. Configure the settings for app packaging.
  3. Log in with a Windows Store developer account and upload the app.

7. Bonus: Complete Example Application

Below is the complete code for a simple UWP application. This example receives input from the user and displays the input content when the button is clicked.

<Page
    x:Class="MyApp.MainPage"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:local="using:MyApp"
    xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
    xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
    mc:Ignorable="d">
    <Grid x:Name="MyGrid">
        <StackPanel>
            <TextBlock Text="Hello, UWP!" FontSize="30" HorizontalAlignment="Center" />
            <TextBox x:Name="InputBox" Width="300" />
            <Button Content="Click Me" Click="Button_Click" />
        </StackPanel>
    </Grid>
</Page>
private void Button_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    string userInput = InputBox.Text;
    MessageBox.Show($"User input: {userInput}");
}

The above example application allows for a multifaceted understanding of the basics of screen composition in UWP applications through basic UI and event handling. By appropriately utilizing the various techniques and concepts discussed here, it is possible to create a more complete application.

Conclusion

UWP development offers the advantage of easy usability through various features and UI controls. It is hoped that this course enables you to understand and utilize the fundamental techniques and examples necessary to complete the screen composition of a UWP application.

Every aspect of UWP development should prioritize the user experience, and it is important to continuously improve the application through various user feedbacks. After the project is completed, create a more advanced application through user communication and ongoing updates.