Resources for other platform developers (Windows Store apps)
Purpose
Do you develop apps for platforms like iOS, Windows Phone, Android, or the web? If so, you can use the info throughout this section to take your existing app development skills and start applying them to developing great apps for Windows 8. Why should you build apps for Windows 8? Here are just a few of the 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.
- Choose from several supported programming languages, technologies, and standards—some of which you may already know. 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++.
In this section
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
Make the most of the new Windows 8 user interface to create rich, engaging apps. |
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Building a Windows Store app and wondering where to start? With C++, C#, JavaScript and a huge range of libraries to choose from, the answer is "wherever you want!" |
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Move your games to Windows 8, and enjoy state-of-the-art graphics and a lot more. |
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Impress your Windows app users (and yourself) with the latest features in Windows 8.1. |
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Certify your app in the Windows Store to share it with the world and reap the benefits. |
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Watch and learn with these videos created especially for iOS and Android developers. |
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Apply your existing iOS app development skills toward developing great apps for Windows 8. |
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Apply your existing Windows Phone app development skills toward developing great apps for Windows 8. |
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Apply your existing Android app development skills toward developing great apps for Windows 8. |
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Apply your existing web development skills toward developing great apps for Windows 8. |
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If you've previously created Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) or Microsoft Silverlight app, you can create similar Windows Store apps and use many of the same techniques and skills, including using XAML for UI and C# or Visual Basic for code. |
Developer audience
The info throughout this section is intended for developers who are creating apps for platforms like iOS, Windows Phone, Android, or the web, and who want to create similar Windows Store apps for Windows 8. To learn more, click one of the links in the preceding section.
Run-time requirements
To successfully start creating Windows Store apps, you'll need the following at a minimum:
- Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2013. To get them, go to the Windows 8.1 for Developers page.
- A Windows Store developer account. To get one, go to the Windows Store Dashboard and follow the on-screen directions.
Related topics
For everyone
Windows Store app development: the basics
Windows 8 Product Guide for Developers
Windows 8.1 Feature Guide for Developers
For developers
Develop Windows Store apps using Visual Studio
For designers and developers
Download design assets for Windows Store apps
Send comments about this topic to Microsoft
Build date: 11/13/2013