Developing an end-to-end Windows Store app using JavaScript: Hilo

[This article is for Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x developers writing Windows Runtime apps. If you’re developing for Windows 10, see the latest documentation]

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The JavaScript version of the Hilo photo sample provides guidance to JavaScript developers who want to create a Windows 8 app using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, the Windows Runtime, and modern development patterns. Hilo comes with source code and documentation.

Download

After you download the code, see Getting started with Hilo for instructions.

Here's what you'll learn:

• How to use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the Windows Runtime to create a world-ready app for the global market. The Hilo source code includes support for three languages.
• How to implement tiles, pages, controls, touch, navigation, file system queries, suspend/resume.
• How to implement the Model-View-Presenter and query builder patterns.
• How to test your app and tune its performance.

Note  

• If you're just getting started with Windows Store apps, read Tutorial: Create your first Windows Store app using JavaScript to learn how to create a simple Windows Store app with JavaScript. Then download Hilo to see a complete app that demonstrates recommended implementation patterns.
• To learn about creating Hilo as a Windows Store app using C++ and XAML, see Developing an end-to-end Windows Store app using C++ and XAML: Hilo.
• To learn about building a Windows Store business app using C#, XAML, and Prism, see Developing a Windows Store business app using C#, XAML, and Prism for the Windows Runtime.

 

Prerequisites

• Windows 8
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2012
• An interest in JavaScript programming

Go to Windows Store app development to download the latest tools for Windows Store app development.

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Table of contents at a glance

Here are the major topics in this guide. For the full table of contents, see Hilo table of contents.

• Getting Started with Hilo
• Async programming patterns and tips
• Using a separated presentation pattern
• Using the query builder pattern
• Working with tiles and the splash screen
• Creating and navigating between pages
• Using controls
• Working with data sources
• Using touch
• Handling suspend, resume, and activation
• Improving performance
• Testing and deploying Windows Store apps
• Meet the Hilo team

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Learning resources

If you're new to JavaScript programming for Windows Store apps, read Roadmap for Windows Store app using JavaScript. If you're new to the JavaScript language, see JavaScript fundamentals before reading this guidance.

The topic Writing code for Windows Store apps (JavaScript) contains important information for web developers learning how to write Windows Store apps.

You might also want to read Index of UX guidelines for Windows Store apps and Blend for Visual Studio to learn more about how to implement a great UX. The document Designing the UX explains how we designed the Hilo UX for both C++ and JavaScript.

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