Resources for iOS developers (Windows Store apps)
Purpose
Windows 8 provides a new way to develop and distribute software: the Windows Store app.
A Windows Store app looks different from traditional desktop application, because it is different: it has a single full-screen view, a modern UI, and new controls. In fact, Windows Store apps are like the apps you already develop – except they run on every desktop, laptop and tablet running Windows 8.
With Windows 8, you get the new Windows Runtime API. You can use it to write graphically rich, easy-to-use apps that take full advantage of modern hardware like touch screens and position sensors. Apps can share data with each other, and even share the screen. Tiles replace icons and can be updated with new info in real time. Windows Runtime API takes the best of Win32 and .NET development and creates a brand new modern development platform.
Microsoft Visual Studio provides a hugely respected development environment, and is supported by Blend, a tool designed specifically for creating and testing user interfaces.
The info here helps you adapt your existing iOS app development skills to develop great apps for Windows 8.
You don’t even need to own a PC to get started. Use your Mac to run Windows 8 using emulation software - see Installing Windows and the dev tools on your Mac. All the tools you need, including Visual Studio Express and Blend, are just a free download away.
Why should you build apps for Windows 8? Here are just a few benefits:
- Target millions more devices and users for your apps. You can code once and have a great app experience that scales across millions of devices from tablets to all-in-one PCs, from 10" to 27" screen sizes.
- Expand opportunities to make more money. Not only does Windows 8 let you keep more money per download than the Apple App Store with an 80% revenue for total sales over $25,000 USD, Windows 8 and the Windows Store also make it simple for millions of customers to find, try, and buy your apps from practically anywhere in the world. The Windows Store makes it easy to distribute, update, and get paid for the apps that you develop.
- Choose from several supported programming languages, technologies, and standards. Unlike Cocoa Touch, which only uses Objective-C, Windows 8 lets you build Windows Store apps using a variety of programming languages. You can program your apps using C#, C++, or Microsoft Visual Basic, while using Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) to declaratively describe the user interface. Or you can build apps using web technologies like HTML5, Cascading Style Sheets, Level 3 (CSS3), and JavaScript. Developers looking for the best possible performance on Windows 8 can use Microsoft DirectX with C++.
Note For information specific to Windows Phone, please visit the Windows Phone Dev Center, and see Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 – building together.
In this section
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
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Provides a series of short, hands-on walkthroughs interspersed with concepts for iOS app developers to gain experience with using Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2013 Preview for Windows to start building simple Windows Store apps for Windows 8. | |
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Here's how to migrate to using Windows 8 controls after working with iOS. | |
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Here are some common Windows 8 programming tasks you might be wondering how to migrate from iOS. | |
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Here's a look at common iOS app designs, and how they can be re-imagined in Windows 8. | |
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Use popular third-party apps like Apple Boot Camp, VirtualBox, VMware Fusion, and Parallels Desktop to install Windows 8 and Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8 on your Mac. | |
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Use this reference to map selected iOS development areas, frameworks, controls, and classes to equivalents for Windows Store apps. | |
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We provide an API mapping index to help you find iOS API equivalents to the Windows Runtime APIs so that you can jumpstart your development projects for Windows 8. | |
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Links to articles and videos for iOS app developers who also want to build great apps for Windows 8. |
Developer audience
This info is for iOS app developers who want to create similar Windows Store apps for Windows 8.
To create a Windows Store app, become familiar with at least one of the supported programming languages: C#, C++, Visual Basic, or JavaScript. Depending on which language you choose, you might also need to learn about XAML, the Windows Runtime, HTML5, and CSS3. Does it sound overwhelming? We can help. Follow these links to hands-on app-building exercises and start learning from there as you go:
- Roadmap for Windows Store apps using C# or Visual Basic
- Roadmap for Windows Store apps using C++
- Roadmap for Windows Store apps using DirectX and C++
- Roadmap for Windows Store apps using JavaScript
Run-time requirements
To successfully start creating Windows Store apps and to get them published in the Store, you'll need a few things:
- A Windows Store developer account. To get one, go to the Windows Store Dashboard and follow the on-screen directions.
- Windows 8 and Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8. To get them, do one of the following:
- If you want to use a PC to create Windows Store apps, see Developer downloads for programming Windows Store apps.
- If you want to use a Mac to create Windows Store apps, see Installing Windows and the dev tools on your Mac.
- A developer license for Windows 8. To get one, see Develop Windows Store apps using Visual Studio.
Related topics
- For everyone
- Meet Windows Store apps
- Windows Store app development: the basics
- Windows 8 Product Guide for Developers
- For developers
- Develop Windows Store apps using Visual Studio 2012
- Objective-C versus C#: an introduction
- Windows Dev Camps
- Windows Store App Labs
- For iOS developers
- Resources for iOS devs
- Windows 8 controls for iOS devs
- Windows 8 cookbook for iOS devs
- For designers and developers
- Design case study: iPad to Windows Store app
- Download design assets for Windows Store apps
Build date: 6/24/2013
