14 DAY TRIAL // While Windows 8 Beta will be geared more toward end users, Microsoft made it clear that the Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is designed for developers, to spark the building of next-generation applications, particularly Metro apps.
Early adopters received not only the first pre-Beta release of Windows 8, but also a collection of dev tools, as well as a new Windows Dev Center packed with resources, including guidance, training and code samples.
“Concepts and architecture” is a key section of the new Windows Dev Center, focused on providing insight into Metro apps and Windows 8’s Metro platform.
“This section covers a number of key concepts and architectural descriptions to help you better understand how to create Metro style apps for Windows Developer Preview,” the software giant notes.
“Dig in here to learn more about Metro style app, the Windows Runtime, the programming languages supported, and the features you can use to create great apps!”
Testers looking for answers to questions such as ‘What are Metro style apps?’ need to head over to the ‘Concepts and architecture’ site on the Windows Dev Center.
The Redmond company is also offering a ‘Primer for current Windows developers,’ information on the Windows Runtime, an overview of .NET for Metro style apps, but also information on ‘Web programming for Metro style apps using JavaScript;’ ‘Windows features for Metro style apps’ and even performance guidance.
“Metro style apps are full screen apps tailored to your users' needs, tailored to the device they run on, tailored for touch interaction, and tailored to the Windows user interface. Windows helps you interact with your users, and your users interact with your app,” the company explains.
“You can create your app in the languages you're most comfortable with: JavaScript with HTML5 and CSS3, or C++/C#/VB with XAML,” the company added.
Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is available for download here.