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Writing a Windows 8 App with Visual Studio and Team Foundation Service

Summary

A lot of people ask me how they can write a Windows 8 App with Visual Studio and Team Foundation Service (our online, hosted version of Team Foundation Server). In fact, I was talking with a friend recently whom I used to code with about 10 years ago. It had been a long time since he programmed with C# (nearly 10 years?) as he now spends most of his time programming low level driver code. He challenged me with how fast a "new" developer could get started with writing a Windows 8 App. He set the challenge asking if a new developer could get started in under 1 day. Challenge accepted. Challenge accomplished. Here is my journey through documenting how a new developer can get started with Windows 8 application development using Visual Studio & Team Foundation Service.

 

Step 1 - Where to Start?

This MSDN website has wealth of information on how to get started.

 

Step 2 - Select your Tools (Visual Studio)

I already use Visual Studio Ultimate w/ MSDN because it lets me architect my applications better and debug my applications a lot faster using IntelliTrace: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng#products/visual-studio-ultimate-2012

 

Step 3 - Select your Programming Language

One of the things I like most about application development on Windows 8 is the access to a variety of programming languages & frameworks. I prefer C# & XAML, which is described here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/apps/bg125376 

 

Step 4 - Manage your Project using Team Foundation Service

Team Foundation Service, available here, http://tfs.visualstudio.com/en-us/tfs-welcome.aspx is free and it's a great tool to manage your projects. I used TFS for this project to help me:

* Keep track of my user stories

* Create functional requirements

* Storyboard my user experience

* Source Code Control & repository

* Managing my project backlog (i.e. future ideas)

* Manage my test cases

* Solicit feedback from my friends via the UAT Feedback Tool

 

Step 5 - Create User Stories & Tasks

To help myself stay organized, I created user stories and tasks right within TFS.

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Step 6 - Storyboarding in TFS & PowerPoint

As a visual person, it's always easier for me to see applications come alive before I code them. So I used the Storyboarding capabilities of TFS & PowerPoint.

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Step 7 - Begin Coding with the Sample Apps

I found these sample applications to be incredibly helpful: 

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps and http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps/Windows-8-Modern-Style-App-Samples

 

Step 8 - Obtain your Developer License

 

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Step 9 - Obtain Feedback with the TFS UAT Feedback Request Tool

Right from your TFS as a Service dashboard, you can solicit feedback from your UAT users.

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Step 10 - Obtain your Free Windows Store Developer Account from your MSDN Subscription

If you are a Premium or Ultimate MSDN subscriber, you have access to a free Windows Store Developer Account as part of your included MSDN benefits.

 

 

Step 11 - Certify your App

Microsoft recommends that you always certify your application before submitting it. This will help you identify blockers to publication before you go through the longer process.

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Step 12 - Publish your App

Most developers, myself included, find this to be the most involved step. I encountered a few surprises along the way that I wasn't prepared for. For example, I was declaring that I needed Internet (Client) capabilities in my packaging manifest file. As such, I was required to include a privacy statement in both the submission of my application as well as the Settings charm. But my application doesn't really need internet capabilities, so I just removed this requirement.

There is a great dashboard and step-by-step guide for publishing your applications, here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps/hh694062.aspx 

 

 

Conclusion

And there you have it! A 12 step guide for how to publish a Windows 8 App in under a day. Let me know how your experiences go!

 

 

 

 

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