Now more than ever, Windows applications have to work well and look good. Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Microsoft’s new user interface framework, gives you the ability to create stunning graphics, rich interactions, and highly-usable Windows applications. WPF is the API beneath Windows Vista interfaces, and it’s also available for older versions of Windows. Up to this point, it has only been possible to build WPF applications manually, mainly by hand-coding in XAML-WPF’s declarative XML-based markup language. The soon-to-be-released Visual Studio 2008 provides the full set of developer tools you need to take advantage of this exciting technology.

The combination of WPF and Visual Studio 2008 represents the start of the next generation of Windows applications. Hand-coding XAML is fine if you’re an early adopter, but to put WPF into production, you need to master the tools and application styles you’ll use in your day job.

WPF In Action focuses on WPF development using Visual Studio 2008 and other available tools.. The book starts with thorough coverage of the basics-layouts, styles, resources, and themes. It then takes you through several real-world scenarios, exploring common challenges and application-types. You’ll build several sample applications, ranging from a simple calculator to a typical line-of-business application. Along the way, you’ll add graphical elements, animation, and support for printing, accessibility, and other standard functionality.

Written in a witty, engaging style, WPF In Action can be read cover-to-cover or used to reference specific problems and issues. The approach is practical and always focused on how you’ll use WPF in real developmentscenarios. You’ll learn how to handle the many new issues presented by the extreme flexibility of WPF. The authors also provide numerous tips and suggestions for how to work efficiently.