Windows Store Apps
Windows Store apps embody a set of design principles that emphasize simple user interfaces that are centered around content. You create the UI in XAML markup, and the code-behind in native C++. You can also create components (DLLs) that can be consumed by Windows Store apps that are written in other languages. The API surface for Windows Store apps is the Windows Runtime, which is a well-factored library that provides a wide variety of operating system services.
Note
Much of the documentation for Windows Store app development in C++ is on the Windows Developer Center website. Some of the links in this article go to that website.
To create Windows Store apps you can use Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8 or any other Visual Studio edition except Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows Desktop.
Windows Store Apps with Visual C++ component extensions (C++/CX)
Describes the set of extensions that simplify C++ consumption of Windows Runtime APIs and enable error handling that's based on exceptions. |
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Describes how to create DLLs and static libraries that can be accessed from a C++/CX app or component. |
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A walkthrough that introduces the basic concepts of Windows Store app development in C++. |
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Provides links to articles about Windows Store app and game development in C++. |
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Describes how to create DLLs that other Windows Store apps and components can consume. |
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Describes how to use DirectX and C++ to create games. |
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Developing Marble Maze, a Windows Store game in C++ and DirectX |
An end-to-end sample that demonstrates a complete Windows Store game. |
Windows Store Apps with the Windows Runtime C++ Template Library (WRL)
The WRL provides the low-level COM interfaces by which ISO C++ code can access the Windows Runtime in an exception-free environment. In most cases, we do not recommend the WRL for Windows Store app development; instead, use C++/CX. For information about the WRL, see Windows Runtime C++ Template Library (WRL).