Author: Marleon
Table of Contents
What is the Windows Runtime (WinRT)?
- Introduced in Windows 8
- Default program interface
- Object Oriented API
- Native Code API
- Does not replace Win32
- Not part of .NET
- Not managed code
- Not a tablet version of Windows (WindowsRT)
- Only way to access some features of Windows 10
- Asynchronous
- Non blocking > 50ms
Read more about the new world’s C++/WinRT and how it can help your organization achieve great performance in producing smaller binaries than any other language option for Windows Runtime.
Notifications in Windows 10
- Moved to System.Notifications
- Works with VCL, RTL and all app types
- Immediate or scheduled notifications
- Start menu shortcut required to relaunch app
Share Contract on Windows 10
- Share content to other apps
- Act as a source
- Share text, images, links, etc.
- Share to email or other apps
- Include meta information: titles, building and attachments
- TSharingContract (VCL) or TShareContract (RTL)
- http://embt.co/using_share_contract
Windows Runtime (WinRT) API Interfaces
- WinRT Interfaces found in sourcertlwinwinrt folder
- Referenced by Interface for automatic reference counting
- Helpers like TWindowsString in System.Win.WinRT
- Many classes have default parameterless constructors
- Use .Factory to access other constructors
- Use .Statics to access static members of class
Windows 10 UI/UX Elements
- VCL & FMX Styles
- VCL Controls
- TActivityIndicator – Similar to FMX TAniIndicator
- TRelativePanel – Controls position based on relative position
- TSearchBox – Used to manually search or filter other controls
- TSplitView – Similar to FMX MultiView
- TToggleSwitch – Similar to FMX TSwitch
- FireMonkey Platform Native Rendering Architecture
FireMonkey Platform Native Rendering Architecture
Currently available on iOS and Windows (version 7+) http://embt.co/fmx_native_win_controls
FireMonkey Windows 10 Styles
VCL Animated Activity Indicator 
- TActivityIndicator in Vcl.WinXCtrls
- Similar to FMX TAniIndicator
- Customizable
- Three indicator types
- Four sizes
- Two colors
- Adjustable frame delay
- http://embt.co/TActivityIndicator
VCL Relative Layout Panel – TRelativePanel
- Controls position based on relative position
- Set position via ControlCollection
- Find child control with IndexOf()
- Or at design time use properties
- Align[xx]WithPanel: Boolean
- Above: [Sibling]
- Align[xx]With: [Sibling]
- LeftOf: [Sibling]
- http://embt.co/TRelativePanel
VCL SearchBox – TSearchBox
- Includes search indicator
- Text and Audio indicators
- Has OnInvokeSearch event
- Used to manually search or filter other controls
- See also FMX.TSearchBox
- http://embt.co/TSearchBox
VCL Split View – TSplitView
- Similar to FMX MultiView
- Adjustable behaviors, placements and style
- Can contain any other controls
- Animated expand and collapse
VCL Toggle Switch – TToggleSwitch
- Similar to FMX TSwitch
- Custom captions
- Custom colors
- Resizable elements
- Disabled and Read-Only
- Property State: tssOn or tssOff
- Function IsOn: Boolean
VCL Windows 10 Styles
http://embt.co/vcl-styles-overview
C++Builder Windows 10 WinRT Headers
Available via GetIt http://embt.co/getit-manager
What is Universal Windows Platform (UWP)
- Mostly a marketing term (overloaded meaning)
- Apps built with WinRT
- Full access to platform
- Allows for Windows store distribution
- Sandboxed execution/user safety
- Automatic updates
- Requires universal AppID
- Project Centennial will bridge Win32 to UWP
Learning Resources
- Using Notifications – http://embt.co/using_notifications
- Using the Share Contract – http://embt.co/using_share_contract
- FMX Native Windows Controls – http://embt.co/fmx_native_win_controls
- New VCL Windows 10 Controls – http://embt.co/vcl_win10_controls
- CodeRage X sessions on Windows 10
- Delphi – http://embt.co/crx-win10-op UI/UX http://embt.co/crx-win10-ui
- C++ – http://embt.co/crx-win10-cpp UI/UX http://embt.co/crx-win10-ui-cpp
- Project Centennial intro session from //build/ 2015
Replay coming soon.
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