Microsoft Student recently ran 30 Days of App Development tips that provide guidance as you build a Windows Store app in a month. All of the resources are listed below for easy reference. If you are new to app development, we recommend that you start by taking a look at the Getting Started Guide. It offers step-by-step instruction for everything you need to know to start developing apps. If you’ve already published an app please tell us about it in the comments!
- Day 1: Planning your Windows Store app. Make sure to review this list of steps to help plan your Windows Store app. http://bit.ly/PrFaaY
- Day 2 - Design guidance. Make sure your app is easy to navigate and delivers the best experience for your users. Read this for navigation patterns, commanding patterns and touch interaction patterns. http://bit.ly/TgC8oX
- Day 3 - Now is the time to review UX guidelines that cover touch interactions, snapping and scaling, tiles and notifications, which is everything you need to make your app compelling. http://bit.ly/Xik67n
- Day 4 - Window design case studies: http://bit.ly/PrJaZ5. Download the Windows design assets to kick-start your app interface. http://bit.ly/RWvhOo
- Day 5 - Get ready for app development with tools and templates. Take time to review the key traits of a great Windows Store app (http://bit.ly/RkDNYC). This document helps you get set up with tools and a free developer license: http://bit.ly/IRxLec.
- Day 6 - You've coded a great app on another platform. What can you do? Learn migrating here: http://bit.ly/TBSL0A& porting Silverlight or Windows presentation foundation (WPF) XAML code to a Windows Store app: http://bit.ly/RGmcK8.
- Day 7 - Learn how to create Windows Store apps using JavaScript, C#, C++, or Visual Basic. http://bit.ly/RXfH4N
- Day 8 - Write code your way: Learn how to create Windows Store apps using JavaScript http://bit.ly/UjGwQZ and C#, C++, or Visual Basic http://bit.ly/PIDcDa
- Day 9 - Asynchronous programming will help apps that download data from the internet or files stay responsive while working. Here are some tips to learn how. http://bit.ly/SytVvT
- Day 9 - Building a Windows Store app: Asynchronous programming will help apps that download data from the internet or files stay responsive while working. Here are some tips to learn how. http://bit.ly/SytVvT
- Day 10 - Learn how to make your app easy to use with these user interface design tips http://bit.ly/PIEcHj.
- Day 11 - Define your app's resources to improve maintainability and localization: http://bit.ly/SyBDqO. Manage critical user information: http://bit.ly/RutsL9.
- Day 12 - Learn about working with your app's data, accessing files and encrypting data: http://bit.ly/TZKLq9.
- Day 13 - Best practices for taking advantage of the user interaction capabilities of Windows 8 to build engaging apps. http://bit.ly/Q84ItM
- Day 14 - Learn to create components using Windows Runtime. http://bit.ly/Tamrxp
- Day 15 - Your app tile is more than an icon; it's a way to display changing content. Learn about the capabilities of tiles: http://bit.ly/QVVSfy.
- Day 16 - Visual Studio can help you test, debug and ensure the quality of your app: http://bit.ly/SemmaQ. Did you know that DreamSpark has professional developer software and tools, including Visual Studio Professional at no cost to students. http://bit.ly/Q0ekXD
- Day 17 - Launching, suspending, and resuming events - learn the app life cycle. http://bit.ly/TVu75d
- Day 18 - Make your app come alive by learning to add multimedia. http://bit.ly/VcPTHv
- Day 19 - You can connect your app with others through contracts and extensions. Learn about the contracts and extensions supported by Windows 8: http://bit.ly/Rxkb3r
- Day 20 - Learn how to create connected apps (http://bit.ly/Senj37) and how to use an HttpClient vs. HttpWebRequest (http://bit.ly/PnN6c5).
- Day 21 - Make your app productive even when it's suspended http://bit.ly/SyFyE1.
- Day 22 - Learn how to integrate devices such as printers and sensors into your app http://bit.ly/SZKXmM.
- Day 23 - Are you building an app that will require users to sign in? Download the Windows Live SDK to enable single sign-on with Microsoft accounts http://bit.ly/SKvlkv.
- Day 24 - Build an app that is "network-aware" http://bit.ly/SZSXnJ and download Windows Azure toolkit http://bit.ly/TCwk7K.
- Day 25 - Give your app the best possible chance of getting certified with the Windows APP Certification Kit http://bit.ly/STRAoz.
- Day 26 - Learn how to create a trial version of your app to let customers try it for free http://bit.ly/UBqdVj.
- Day 27 - Monetize your app with in-app advertising for Windows 8 http://bit.ly/XCQmnn.
- Day 28 - Help determine the best business model for your app with these resources: http://bit.ly/RW6rzo.
- Day 29 - After your app is certified, learn how to package it for Windows Store http://bit.ly/QbIkjt.
- Day 30 - Put the final touches on your app and get it prepared for submission to the Windows Store http://bit.ly/STUQ3f.