microsoft.com/
en-gb/library/ms742196.aspx.
WPF: A Higher-Level API
If the only thing WPF offered was hardware acceleration through DirectX, it would be a compelling
improvement, but not a revolutionary one. But WPF actually includes a basket of
high-level services designed for application programmers.
Here??™s a list with some of the most dramatic changes that WPF ushers into the Windows
programming world:
CHAPTER 1 n INTRODUCING WPF 4
??? A web-like layout model. Rather than fix controls in place with specific coordinates,
WPF emphasizes flexible flow layout that arranges controls based on their content. The
result is a user interface that can adapt to show highly dynamic content or different languages.
??? A rich drawing model. Rather than painting pixels, in WPF you deal with primitives??”
basic shapes, blocks of text, and other graphical ingredients. You also have new
features, such as true transparent controls, the ability to stack multiple layers with
different opacities, and native 3-D support.
nNote The 3-D support in WPF is not as mature as Direct3D or OpenGL. If you are planning to design an
application that makes heavy use of three-dimensional drawing (such as a real-time game), WPF probably
won??™t provide the features and performance you need.
??? A rich text model. After years of substandard text handling with feeble controls such as
the classic Label, WPF finally gives Windows applications the ability to display rich,
styled text anywhere in a user interface.
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