Silverlight Recipes - A Problem-Solution Approach

Contents at a Glance

Table of Contents

About the Authors

About the Technical Reviewers

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Who This Book Is For

How This Book Is Structured

Prerequisites

Downloading the Code

Contacting the Authors

CHAPTER 1 Quick Tour of Silverlight 4 Development

Getting Up to Speed with Silverlight

Silverlight 3 Highlights

Major Media Enhancements

Enhanced User Experience Rendering Capabilities

Rich Internet Applications and Line-of-Business Enhancements

WCF RIA Services Data Support Improvements

Browser Support

Out-of-Browser Capabilities

Silverlight 4

Business Application Development

Developer Tools

Interactive User Experiences

Out-of-Browser Programming Model

Silverlight and Visual Studio 2010

1-1. Setting Up the Silverlight 4 Environment

Problem

Solution

How It Works

1-2. Installing Additional Silverlight-Related Services and Controls

Problem

Solution

How It Works

1-3. Understanding the Structure of a Silverlight Solution

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

1-4. Understanding the Developer/Designer Workflow

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Tools

The Process

1-5. Understanding the Basics of Expression Blend 4

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

1-6. Accessing Source Control

Problem

Solution

How It Works

1-7. Running Silverlight 4 on a Mac

Problem

Solution

How It Works

1-8. Running Silverlight on Linux

Problem

Solution

How It Works

CHAPTER 2 Application Design and Programming Model

The Mechanics of Silverlight Applications

2-1. Leverage and Locate Controls and Classes

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Add a Custom Control

Find a Control

2-2. Dynamically Loading XAML

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-3. Persisting Data on the Client

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-4. Opening a Local File from a Silverlight Application

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-5. Accessing XML Data

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-6. Managing Unhandled Exceptions

Problem

Solution

How It Works

2-7. Executing Work on a Background Thread with Updates

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-8. Updating the UI from a Background Thread

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-9. Managing XAML Resources

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-10. Managing Embedded Resources

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-11. Creating Silverlight Using Ruby, Python, or JScript

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-12. Creating Application Services

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-13. Managing Resources in Large Projects

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

2-14. Save a File Anywhere on the User’s System

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

CHAPTER 3 Developing User Experiences

3-1. Importing Art from Expression Design

Problem

Solution

How It Works

3-2. Working with Color and Gradients in Blend

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-3. Positioning UI Elements

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Canvas

Grid

The Code

Code for Canvas

Code for StackPanel

Code for the Grid

3-4. Drawing with Shapes, Paths, and Geometries

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Drawing with Shapes

Drawing with Path Objects

Drawing with Geometries

The Code

Drawing with Paths

Drawing with Geometries

3-5. Providing Scrollable Content

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-6. Applying a Border to Elements

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-7. Using Simple Animations with Objects

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-8. Animating UI Elements with Keyframes

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-9. Transforming an Object

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-10. Creating a Simple Cartoon Scene

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-11. Handling Keyboard Input

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-12. Working with Ink

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-13. Adding 3-D Effects to UI Elements

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-14. Dynamically Creating Bitmaps

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-15. Improving Graphic Animation and Video Performance

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-16. Improve Animation with Custom Easing Functions

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-17. Adding Pixel Shader Visual Effects

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-18. Create and Work with Design-Time Data in Expression Blend

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-19. Reuse Application Interactivity with Behaviors

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

3-20. Customizing the Right-Click Context Menu

Problem

How it Works

The Code

3-21. Accessing the Clipboard

Problem

How it Works

The Code

3-22. Using Right-to-Left Text

Problem

How it Works

The Code

3-23. Prototype Application Design

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

CHAPTER 4 Data Binding

4-1. Binding Application Data to the UI

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Binding Expression

Dependency Properties

Associating the Data Source

The Code

4-2. Binding Using a DataTemplate

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Declaring a DataTemplate

Using a DataTemplate

The Code

4-3. Receiving Change Notifications for Bound Data

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Change Notification for Noncollection Types

Change Notification for Collection Types

The Code

4-4. Converting Values During Data Binding

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Implementing Value Conversion

The Code

4-5. Binding Across Elements

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Binding to Another Element

Binding to Self

Binding to the TemplatedParent

The Code

4-6. Validating Input for Bound Data

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Validation Error Notification

Getting Error Information

Getting a Validation Error Summary

The Code

4-7. Controlling Updates

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

4-8. Providing reasonable defaults for bound data

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Null Value Replacement

Fallback value

String Formatting

The Code

CHAPTER 5 Controls

A Word About the Samples

5-1. Customizing a Control’s Basic Appearance

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Style Scoping

The Code

5-2. Replacing the Default UI of a Control

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Control Template Syntax

Setting the Template

Using Expression Blend to Design a Template

Template Bindings

Content Model and Presenter Controls

Visual State Management

The Code

5-3. Customizing the Default ListBoxItem UI

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

5-4. Displaying Information in a Pop-up

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Creating and Initializing the Pop-up

Positioning the Pop-up

Creating Pop-up Content

The Code

5-5. Displaying Row Details in a DataGrid

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

5-6. Applying Custom Templates to a DataGrid Cell

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

5-7. Creating Custom Column Types for a DataGrid

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The GenerateElement() Method

The GenerateEditingElement() Method

The PrepareCellForEdit() Method

The CancelCellEdit() Method

The Code

5-8. Creating a Composite User Control

Problem

Solution

How It Works

User Control Structure

XAML Loading

Dependency Properties

The Code

5-9. Creating a Custom Layout Container

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Motivation and Mechanics

The MeasureOverride() Method

The ArrangeOverride() Method

The Code

Using the WrapPanel

5-10. Creating a Custom Control

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Custom Control Structure

TemplateBinding vs. RelativeSource Binding to TemplatedParent

The Code

Using the Control

5-11. Defining a Custom Visual State

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

5-12. Controlling ScrollViewer Scroll Behavior

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The VisualTreeHelper class

The Code

5-13. Customizing the Binding Validation User Interface

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Validation Error Tooltip

The ValidationSummary Control

The Code

5-14. Control Behavior in Expression Blend

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Property Attributes

Designer-Unsafe Code

Including Sample Data

The Code

5.15 Enhancing the Design Experience with Behaviors and Triggers

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Behavior

Triggers and Actions

The Code

CHAPTER 6 Browser Integration

6-1. Host Silverlight on Any Technology

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-2. Setting Focus for Keyboard Input

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-3. Implementing a Full-Screen UI

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-4. Calling a JavaScript Method from Managed Code

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-5. Calling a Managed Code Method from JavaScript

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-6. Exchanging Data Among Multiple Plug-ins

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-7. Layering HTML over the Silverlight Plug-in

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-8. Hosting HTML in a Silverlight Application

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-9. Painting a Silverlight Element with HTML

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-10. Taking Advantage of the Navigation Framework

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-11. Embedding Silverlight within a Windows Gadget

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

6-12. Embedding Silverlight in an Internet Explorer 8 Web Slice

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

CHAPTER 7 Networking and Web Service Integration

A Quick Word about the Samples

7-1. Consuming a WCF Service

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Invoking a Service Operation

Configuring a WCF Service for Silverlight

The Code

7-2. Exchanging XML Messages over HTTP

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Using HttpWebRequest/HttpWebResponse in Silverlight

Configuring WCF to Use Non-SOAP Endpoints

The Code

7-3. Using JSON Serialization over HTTP

Problem

Solution

How It Works

JSON

Using the DataContractJsonSerializer Type

Configuring WCF to Use JSON

The Code

7-4. Accessing Resources over HTTP

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Downloading/Uploading Resources

Reading/Writing Remote Streams

WebClient and HTTP Endpoints

Canceling Long-Running Operations

The Code

7-5. Using Sockets to Communicate over TCP

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Sockets API in Silverlight

Cross-Domain Policy and Port Requirements

The Code

Running the Sample Code

The Client

The Chat Server

The Policy Server

7-6. Enabling Cross-Domain Access

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

7-7. Exchanging Data between Silverlight Applications

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Receiver Registration

Receiving Messages

Sending Messages

Request-Response

The Code

CHAPTER 8 Building Out Of Browser Silverlight Applications

8-1. Building a Silverlight application to run outside the browser

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Preparing the Application

Installing the Application

Customizing the Installation Flow

Sensing Network Availability

Updating Locally Installed Applications

The Code

8-2. Controlling the Application Window

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Window Attributes

Resizing and moving a Window

The Code

8-3. Using COM Interoperability and File System Access

Problem

Solution

How It Works

COM Interoperability

Instantiating a COM object

Handling a COM event

File System Access

The Code

Windows Image Acquisition

The Application Code

Saving Images to the disk

Taskbar Notification

CHAPTER 9 Building LOB Applications

Silverlight LOB Enhancements

Data Access Enhancements

WCF Data Services

WCF RIA Services

9-1. Accessing RESTful Data using OData

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-2. Using Visual Studio 2010 WCF Data Services Tooling

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-3. Implementing CRUD Operations in WCF Data Services

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-4. Using Visual Studio 2010 WCF RIA Data Services Tooling

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-5. Taking Advantage of the Business Application Template

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-6. Databinding in XAML

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-7. Navigating RIA LOB Data

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-8. Implementing CRUD Operations in RIA Services

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-9. Data Validation through Data Annotation

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

9-10. Printing in a Silverlight LOB Application

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

CHAPTER 10 Integrating Rich Media

10-1. Adding Video to a Page

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Using MediaElement

VideoBrush

10-2. Creating a Complete Video Player

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Acquiring Media

Controlling Media Play

MediaElement States

Seeking Within the Media

Volume

The Code

Installing the Sample Code

The Player Code

The MediaSlider Custom Control

The MediaButtonsPanel Custom Control

10-3. Adding Streaming Media Support

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Network Considerations

Windows Media Services

Setting Up WMS 2008

Setting Up Publishing Points

The Code

Changes to the Player

10-4. Using Playlists to Package Media

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Server-Side Playlists

Client-Side Playlists

The Code

10-5. Using Markers to Display Timed Content

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Encoding Markers Using Expression Encoder 3

MediaElement and Markers

The Code

10-6. Displaying and Seeking Using SMPTE Timecodes

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Frame Rate

Timecodes

Timecodes and Silverlight

The Code

10-7. Building a Managed Decoder for Silverlight

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Silverlight, Containers, and Codecs

MediaStreamSource

Initializing the Media Stream

Sampling

Stream Switching

Seeking

The Code

The Recorder

The Custom MediaStreamSource

10-8. Using a WebCam

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Webcam and Microphone as devices

Video and Audio Format Choices

Starting Device Capture

Capturing a still image

The Code

10-9. Processing Raw WebCam Output

Problem

Solution

How It Works

VideoSink and AudioSink

The Code

CHAPTER 11 Integrating Microsoft IIS Smooth Streaming

11-1. Setting up Smooth Streaming

Problem

Solution

How It Works

IIS Media Services

Setting Up IIS7

The Silverlight Client/Smooth Streaming Server Data Exchange

Testing the Smooth Streaming Presentation

The Code

11-2. Using the SmoothStreamingMediaElement

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The IIS Smooth Streaming Player Development Kit

The Code

11-3. Adding Metadata Streams

Problem

Solution

How It Works

Streams and Tracks

The Code

Injecting the Metadata and Content

Using Metadata at Playback

11-4. Merging Data from External Manifests

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

Creating the External Manifests

Merging the Manifests at Runtime

11-5. Scheduling Additional Clips

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

11-6. Varying Playback Speeds

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

11-7. Combining Streams Using Composite Manifests

Problem

Solution

How It Works

The Code

Index