WPF Productivity Playbook from Pluralsight

This course contains a collection of tips, tricks, and techniques that will help you become a more productive and confident WPF developer, able to leverage the full power of the platform.

This course, WPF Productivity Playbook, walks you through a couple dozen capabilities and techniques with WPF that will help you fully harness the WPF platform to build user interfaces that delight your users while letting you be as productive as possible writing clean, maintainable code. First, you'll to see some the best ways to be productive using the Visual Studio XAML designer to layout controls, as well as how to use drag and drop data binding features in the designer. Next, you'll use the template editing modes of Blend and Visual Studio to have a visual editing experience when working with custom controls, ControlTemplates, and DataTemplates. You'll also get some XAML coding guidelines that you can use when writing XAML by hand to make sure that code is easy to read and more maintainable. After completing this course, you'll be ready to unlock the full potential of Visual Studio and Blend tooling.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Getting Productive with XAML Layout and Data Binding

Visually Editing Templates & Debugging Your UI

Writing Maintainable XAML Code

Using Blend for Behaviors, Animations, and Visual States

Leveraging WPF Framework Power Features

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches advanced WPF development techniques for experienced WPF developers

Develops XAML coding guidelines for clean, maintainable code

Leverages Visual Studio and Blend for productive and efficient UI development

Provides hands-on guidance for creating user interfaces that delight users

Covers core WPF capabilities and techniques essential for building robust and performant applications

Taught by Brian Noyes, a seasoned instructor with extensive WPF development expertise

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in WPF Productivity Playbook with these activities:

Compile course materials

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Gather and organize course materials to enhance your understanding of WPF concepts.

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Download and save lecture slides.
Print and annotate lecture notes.
Organize code samples and demos.
Create a study guide.

Review XAML syntax

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Review the basics of XAML syntax to ensure a solid foundation for building user interfaces in WPF.

Browse courses on XAML

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Read documentation on XAML syntax
Create a sample XAML file and experiment with different elements and attributes

Review WPF concepts

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Refresh your understanding of key WPF concepts to enhance your ability to leverage the platform effectively.

Browse courses on WPF

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Review online tutorials or documentation on WPF fundamentals
Create a simple WPF application to practice implementing core concepts

Six other activities

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Practice XAML data binding

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Practice using XAML data binding to reinforce your understanding of data binding concepts.

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Create a new WPF project in Visual Studio.
Add a new XAML file to the project.
Add a data source to the project.
Bind data from the data source to controls in the XAML file.
Run the project and test the data binding.

Practice debugging WPF applications

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Practice debugging WPF applications to improve your problem-solving skills and understanding of WPF.

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Create a new WPF project in Visual Studio.
Add code to the project that causes an exception.
Debug the application to find and fix the exception.
Repeat steps 2-3 for different types of exceptions.

Tutorial on WPF templating

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Follow a tutorial on WPF templating to gain practical experience with creating and using templates.

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Use the template in a WPF project.
Experiment with different templating options.
Find a tutorial on WPF templating.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to create a template.

Start a WPF pet project

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Start a personal WPF project to apply your skills and explore your interests in WPF.

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Brainstorm ideas for a WPF project.
Choose an idea and create a plan for the project.
Implement the project.
Test and refine the project.

Create a WPF application

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Create a WPF application to apply your knowledge of WPF concepts and demonstrate your skills.

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Design the user interface for the application.
Implement the functionality for the application.
Test the application.
Deploy the application.

Create a WPF presentation

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Create a presentation on a WPF topic to demonstrate your knowledge and communication skills.

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Choose a topic for the presentation.
Research the topic and gather information.
Create a storyboard for the presentation.
Design and develop the presentation slides.
Practice delivering the presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete WPF Productivity Playbook will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers use programming languages like WPF to build and maintain visually engaging user interfaces (UIs) for websites and applications. This course, WPF Productivity Playbook, focuses on helping you get the most out of WPF, one of the most popular UI platforms among Front-End Developers. You will learn the best practices for writing maintainable XAML, using Visual Studio and Blend to visually edit templates, and leveraging built-in WPF features like data binding and behaviors. This course is well-suited for Front-End Developers who are looking to enhance their skills with WPF.

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Software Engineer

WPF is a popular UI platform for building feature-rich applications, and strong WPF skills can make Software Engineers more valuable to potential employers. The WPF Productivity Playbook course covers best practices for XAML coding, debugging, and working with Blend and Visual Studio, all of which can help Software Engineers increase their productivity and maintainability. Those who wish to get into or advance a career in Software Engineering may find this course helpful for building a strong foundation in WPF.

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Developer Evangelist

WPF Productivity Playbook covers a wide range of advanced WPF topics that are valuable for Developer Evangelists. Those in this role often need to be able to demonstrate the capabilities of WPF to potential customers, and this course will provide them with the skills to do so effectively. The course also covers best practices for writing maintainable XAML code, which is a valuable skill for Developer Evangelists who wish to publish code samples and tutorials.

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UX Designer

UX Designers work to improve the user experience of websites and applications. WPF Productivity Playbook can be a useful resource for UX Designers who want to learn more about implementing and improving WPF-based user interfaces. The course covers topics such as visually editing templates, debugging UI, and writing maintainable XAML code, all of which can greatly enhance the user experience of WPF applications.

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Web Developer

Web Developers use programming languages to build and maintain websites and web applications. Many web developers specialize in front-end development, which involves creating the visual elements of a website. WPF is a popular platform for building web-based UIs, and WPF Productivity Playbook can help students learn advanced techniques for creating and managing WPF-based user interfaces. This course is well-suited for Web Developers who want to gain valuable WPF skills.

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UI/UX Engineer

WPF Productivity Playbook can help UI/UX Engineers get the most out of WPF, one of the leading UI platforms. The course covers best practices for XAML coding, debugging, and working with Blend and Visual Studio. It also provides valuable tips and tricks for building maintainable and reusable WPF controls. These skills can help UI/UX Engineers design and develop high-quality WPF applications that meet the needs of users.

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Software Developer

Software Developers build and maintain software applications. WPF is a popular UI platform for building rich client applications, and WPF Productivity Playbook can help Software Developers improve their skills with this platform. The course covers best practices for XAML coding, debugging, and working with Blend and Visual Studio, as well as advanced WPF features like data binding and behaviors. Software Developers who are looking to build or maintain WPF applications will find this course helpful.

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UI Developer

WPF Productivity Playbook can be a valuable resource for UI Developers who wish to enhance their skills with WPF. The course covers advanced WPF topics such as visually editing templates, debugging UI, and writing maintainable XAML code. These skills are essential for building and maintaining user interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. UI Developers who want to advance their career and improve their skillset with WPF should find this course to be beneficial.

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Web Designer

WPF Productivity Playbook can provide Web Designers with a solid foundation in WPF, a powerful UI platform for building web-based applications. The course covers best practices for XAML coding, debugging, and working with Blend and Visual Studio. It also provides tips and tricks for building maintainable and reusable WPF controls. Web Designers who want to expand their skillset and learn WPF will find this course useful.

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Information Technology Specialist

WPF Productivity Playbook can serve as a useful resource for Information Technology Specialists who need to build and maintain WPF applications. The course covers best practices for XAML coding, debugging, and working with Blend and Visual Studio. Information Technology Specialists seeking to expand their WPF skills will find this course valuable.

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Webmaster

WPF Productivity Playbook can be beneficial for Webmasters who need to build and maintain websites that use WPF. The course covers best practices for XAML coding, debugging, and working with Blend and Visual Studio. Webmasters seeking to enhance their WPF skills will find this course helpful.

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Web Applications Developer

WPF Productivity Playbook can prove helpful for Web Applications Developers looking to use WPF for building web applications. The course covers essential WPF coding and debugging techniques. It also provides tips for developing maintainable and reusable WPF controls. This course can benefit Web Applications Developers who seek to enhance their WPF skills.

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Computer Programmer

WPF Productivity Playbook can be a helpful resource for Computer Programmers who want to develop rich client applications with WPF. The course covers best practices for XAML coding, debugging, and working with Blend and Visual Studio. It also provides tips and tricks for building maintainable and reusable WPF controls. Computer Programmers who are looking to learn WPF will find this course valuable.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

WPF Productivity Playbook can offer practical knowledge for Quality Assurance Analysts working with WPF applications. It covers techniques for debugging and working effectively with Blend and Visual Studio. This course can help Quality Assurance Analysts enhance their skills and better support WPF application testing.

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Software Tester

WPF Productivity Playbook can provide valuable insights for Software Testers responsible for testing WPF applications. The course covers best practices for debugging and working with Blend and Visual Studio. Testers can gain knowledge to support their testing efforts in WPF environments.

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