Five important points for Windows8 Metro apps developers!!

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Windows 8 is in news from several months now. Its first look with Metro style is a smash hit. People are really impressed and looking forward to see the full version of this OS. Microsoft is very optimistic for metro style of Windows 8. It assures users that it will be a great new experience for them.

Many mobile apps developers are very keen to try their hands on Windows 8 apps development. This is good news for Windows platform. But there are few points which developer must consider before making shift to Windows 8 apps development.
1. Presentation layer will depend on selection of programming language: Earlier, Windows mobile apps programmers were free to choose their programming language(C# or VB) and presentation layer separately (WinForms or DirectX).

But in case of Metro style application development, if developer chooses C#, VB or C++ then XAML will be default presentation layer. If JavaScript is elected then it will have HTML5 and CSS as presentation layer.C# and HTML5 or Javascript and XAML are a bad combination.  This makes the selection of programming language an important decision to be taken by the developer.

2. New meaning for NoSQL: Metro apps will not have an easy access to SQL based relational data base. Earlier, Microsoft platforms could use some SQL server in the form of Express, Compact or CE but they are no more part of the Metro Sandbox. Even, usage of SQLite will also not serve the purpose.  

To manage data in Metro apps developer can write in to file system and manually manage it. Otherwise, he can use ISAM interface. More common way could be use of semi-structured data storage mechanisms.So, it is a new challenge for developer so they must not lose temper and manage data accordingly.

3. Apps don’t run in background now:  With Metro apps, no application will continue to run automatically. Such applications will remain suspended until the user brings to the foreground. To be more precise, on application running in the foreground will be consuming CPU resources at any given time. It is not a limitation, though it is an asset. It will boost the responsiveness of user and conservation of resources on mobile devices.It sound similar to Apple iOS and it is true.

4. Not all .Net functionality is supported:  Metro app developers should not expect all .Net functionality available for development. Unlike Windows 7, Metro is built on new WinRT API. It means that .Net functionality will be available as a subset of all comprising the full framework.

5. Take advantage of new UX controls: Metro style Windows, don’t support core idioms. It may support now App Bar, Semantic zoom, Partial Page docking and charms. It has full fledged MSDN that covers all.

Windows 8 is a new world; all its features are big to enable better apps and faster development. Interested developers must keep in mind all the above stated points to create great and high quality applications.

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