When Microsoft releases Windows Vista, the new operating system will support applications that employ graphics now used by computer games--clear, stunning, and active. The cornerstone for building these new user interfaces is XAML ("Zammel"), the XML-based markup language that works with Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Vista's new graphics subsystem.

An acronym for Extensible Application Markup Language, XAML offers a wealth of new controls and elements with exciting capabilities, including animation and rendering of 3D graphics. Windows developers are already jazzed by the possibilities of using XAML for fixed and flow format documents like PDF and HTML, 2D and 3D vector-based graphics, form development, animation, audio and video, transparent layering, and a lot more. Many feel that XAML will eliminate the need for multiple file formats or plug-ins (read: Flash), while lowering development costs and reducing time to market.

The problem is, most developers don't know XAML. While it is fairly easy to understand, you still need a quick guide to bring you up to speed before Vista's release, and that's where this book's simple, no nonsense approach comes in.

XAML in a Nutshell covers everything necessary to design user interfaces and .NET applications that take advantage of WPF. Prerequisites such as Microsoft's new unified build system, MSBuild, and core XAML constructs and syntax--including shortcuts--are all presented with plenty of examples to get you started. The Core XAML Reference section lets you dig even deeper into syntax rules and attributes for all XAML elements with a series of quick-reference chapters. This section divides XAML elements into logical categories of elements, controls, shapes and geometry, layout, animations, and transformations for easy reference.

XAML in a Nutshell helps you learn, firsthand, how to use this XML-based markup language to implement the new generation of user interface graphics. As one reviewer noted, "Strong code examples and an efficient, conversational style take the tedium out of learning XAML and make the subject understandable--even interesting."

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 7 Ratings

Three months old and obsolete - 2007-01-16
Reviewer Rating:
I got this book when it was barely three months on the market.
Since WPF (aka avalon) is such a new topic, there are barely any books to teach it. This one is relatively clear and consice. The problem is that the WPF version thay are referring to is obsolete. Many concepts and most examples do not work as is. The whole chapter about Storyboards and animations is completely irrelevant.
I believe that a new version is needed, and I am sorry that I bought a three months old book which is obsolete, but I can not blame the author, she did a good job.

Regards

VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 2006-05-07
Reviewer Rating:
Are you a .NET developer and/or user-interface designer that is familiar with HTML and the basics of XML? If you are, then this book is for you! Author Lori MacVittie, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that gives the reader a broader sense of the XAML market.

MacVittie, begins by providing you with a quick introduction to XAML and includes a list of references to tools available for developing XAML applications. Then, she details the system prerequisites and basics necessary to begin developing and building XAML applications. The author continues by describing the core XAML syntax and delves into the types of elements used to create XAML applications. Next, she details how to position individual elements using a variety of techniques, including panels and absolute positioning. Then, the author provides an overview of resources, focusing on the use of global resources to create a customized look and feel for your interface. She continues by detailing the mechanisms available for animating XAML elements. Next, she details and provides examples for the basic elements used within XAML, including Brush and Pen, ListItem, and elements used for text decoration, such as Inline, Bold, and Italic. The author continues by detailing the control elements available within XAML, such as Button, CheckBox, ImageViewer, and Expander. Then, she explains the differences between shape and geometry classes and details the Shape and Geometry elements available within XAML. Next, she details the XAML elements used to lay out user interfaces such as Grid and Panel, and describes supporting elements such as Trigger, Style, and Border. The author continues by detailing the types of animations and transformations available to XAML elements. Finally, she explains the WPF event system and details the events available to XAML elements.

This most excellent book gives the reader a quick reference to XAML with examples. In other words, this book provides documentation of all core components and presents detailed discussions on features such as animation, resources, and layout that will jump-start you on your way to becoming a XAML developer.

Basic Introduction to XAML - 2006-11-02
Reviewer Rating:
Reading over some of the other reviews listed here, I feel that this book is getting some harsh criticism that is simply not justified. This is an OVERVIEW book folks, not a comprehensive resource that will turn you into an uber XAML programmer overnight! This book touches upon topics quickly and swiftly. Usually I appreciate brevity, but in this case being short doesn't necessarily help or hurt this book. If you want a quick read that will teach you some of the ins and outs of XAML, this is a nice book to do just that. If you need a more extensive look at the technology then pick up another guide but don't bash this book for being what it is.

Here's an overview of what to expect:

01. Introducing XAML
02. Getting Started
03. XAML Basics
04. Layout and Positioning
05. Resources
06. Storyboards and Animations
07. Elements
08. Controls
09. Shapes and Geometry
10. Layout
11. Animations and Transformations
12. Events

Along with this, you get 8 appendices covering the major parts of the XAML technology.

If you want a quick intro the technology, this is a nice pickup.

**** RECOMMENDED

great little book - 2009-01-18
Reviewer Rating:
I use this book as a quick reference in favor of some more bulky books I have on the topic.

I found this book to be more to the point where it concerns XAML, and even more complete than some 1400 and 1800 pagers on WPF. The latter seem to skirt on XAML, and the approach of piecewise adding more information works well for a tutorial but makes it difficult to quickly find what you need on the fly.

Still I found some tags, even common tags missing altogether from XAML in a Nutshell. It may be that those were introduced in .NET 3.5 and the book was published before then. It is the only reason I do not give 5 stars.

Poorly Conceived - 2006-05-01
Reviewer Rating:
This is one book that could have benefited from a firm critique while still in proposal form by someone cognizant of the concerns of the potential audience.

A book about a technology not ready for prime time cannot focus on code snippets. It must be an advocacy book, a book that speaks directly to us skeptics in the coding trenches. It must motivate the hard work entailed in learning a new tech by giving us a glimpse of a better future if we do. This book fails in that.

The first concrete questions a knowledgeable person will want answered by the book is "How is XAML better than XUL? Can it do more or do it more easily?" The only mention of XUL is on page 4, where we are informed "XAML offers similar benefits to other markup-based application interface mechanisms such as XUL..."

Well yes, "similar," except that XAML, unlike XUL, is not cross-platform, not implemented, and not tested in production applications.

This book found me a skeptic and left me an irritated skeptic.

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