Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) (formerly known by its code name "Avalon") is a brand-new presentation framework for Windows XP and Windows Vista, the next version of the Windows client operating system. For developers, WPF is a cornucopia of new technologies, including a new graphics engine that supports 3-D graphics, animation, and more; an XML-based markup language (XAML) for declaring the structure of your Windows UI; and a radical new model for controls.

Programming Windows Presentation Foundation, authored by Microsoft Software Legend Chris Sells and WPF guru Ian Griffiths, is the book you need to get up to speed on WPF. By page two, you'll have written your first WPF application, and by the end of Chapter 1, "Hello WPF," you'll have completed a rapid tour of the framework and its major elements. These include the XAML markup language and the mapping of XAML markup to WinFX code; the WPF content model; layout; controls, styles, and templates; graphics and animation; and, finally, deployment.

Programming Windows Presentation Foundation features:

• Scores of C# and XAML examples that show you what it takes to get a WPF application up and running, from a simple "Hello, Avalon" program to a tic-tac-toe game

• Insightful discussions of the powerful new programming styles that WPF brings to Windows development, especially its new model for controls

• A color insert to better illustrate WPF support for 3-D, color, and other graphics effects

• A tutorial on XAML, the new HTML-like markup language for declaring Windows UI

• An explanation and comparison of the features that support interoperability with Windows Forms and other Windows legacy applications

The next generation of Windows applications is going to blaze a trail into the unknown. WPF represents the best of the control-based Windows world and the content-based web world; it's an engine just itching to be taken for a spin. Inside, you'll find the keys to the ignition.

Updated samples and change notes for the move from the February CTP to Beta 2 are now available from the example site: http://www.sellsbrothers.com/writing/avbook/

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 60 Ratings

Not Recommended - 2009-03-28
Reviewer Rating:
I bought this book with great expectations, but was disappointed. After spending several months trying to become somewhat familiar with WPF, I thought I was ready to delve into the details. So, I purchased "Programming WPF." Sorry to say, I couldn't understand much of what the authors had to say.

If you already have a good understanding of WPF, you can probably learn more from the book. Don't expect this book to help you much if you are relatively new to WPF.

This book suffers from three common problems. The index doesn't relate well to the content. The book lacks a glossary of terms. The book was apparently reviewed by a technical editor who focused only on accuracy; it should also have been reviewed by an editor who focused on how well the text might be understood by learners.

People who already know WPF well might learn much from this book. It's not a book for people who are not already experienced.

Good overview but details must be obtained elsewhere - 2009-01-07
Reviewer Rating:
A person learning C# programming like me needs a method to gather user input and show results to users; WPF is the obvious choice. This book provides a good overview of WPF and gets you started programming it. However, you will still have to make frequent reference to the Microsoft library documentation for details of the various classes. Also, many of the examples are advanced and presume you are just adding on WPF knowledge to a strong .NET probramming background. This makes the book of limited value to beginners.

Out of Date & VERY bad index - 2009-07-09
Reviewer Rating:
If you like using the index in the back of your reference books then this is NOT the book for you. It is shameful how HORRIBLE the index is.

It was also written before framework 3.5 came out. So, it's pretty out of date.

I bought this book based on all of the good reviews. But in the course of developing while learning WPF, I went to Google instead of this book 9 times out of 10 whenever I had a problem.

waste of money - 2009-11-02
Reviewer Rating:
I agree with many reviewers. Search the web for WPF tutorials/information.

I can only guess why few of the books do a good job explaining a complex subject such as "binding". Even one of the authors of this book (Griffiths) said understanding is gained by experience. This book doesn't explain "binding" unless (as many books) you already know the subject.

Read the reviews. Reviewers for the MacDonald book say

This book doesn't explain "binding" unless you already know the subject. The vocabulary is partly to blame. Never use terms that haven't been defined.

After I've mastered the subject, I'll be able to explain the subject in minutes. Why? Because I understand how to introduce a complex subject without relying on previous knowledge.

In this book there is an example "Binding to Relational Data". The author(s) start off fine but wander into synchronicity using complex terms. Best to stick to explaining the binding involved. I converted this example to using MS SQL Server 2008 but still do not thoroughly understand the "binding" involved. I can email the project if you'd like to see it.

.NET Developer Group Coban - 2009-07-19
Reviewer Rating:
Es un libro facil de entender. LWPF es una framework de presentacion muy buena y completa. Me gustaria ver este libro en espanol y las ilustraciones en color.

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