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Review
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Reviewed: April, 2010 |
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Reviewer:
Mark Thormann |
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Do you want or need to take advantage of Windows 7 features from your code?
If you are an advanced C++ or C# programmer who is not afraid of API’s,
native functions, and digging through code, the book “Introducing Windows 7
for Developers” is for you. If you are a novice or even an intermediate
programmer lured in by the words “Introducing” and “Windows 7”, this title
may provide some useful information but you will likely be swimming in the
deep end very quickly with no lifeguard in sight. This excellent book is not
an introduction to programming but an introduction to Windows 7 for
programmers.
You know when someone like the SysInternals guru Mark
Russinovich says he is using concepts from the book (in his foreword), that
there is some good technical stuff inside. Overall the book provides great
insight and examples of the new and exciting enhancements that make Windows
7 so much better than its predecessors. Whether you want to get into the new
Taskbar, Multi-Touch, the Sensor and Location Platform, the Windows Ribbon,
or Libraries, you will probably find what you need. Aside from the basic
first chapter, which simply outlines the new features covered in the book,
each section digs right in. Most of them include well written definitions
and explanations of the new Windows 7 concepts. The authors have clearly
done their research and have experience with Windows 7 and it shows. They
also clearly illustrate each section with code, diagrams, screenshots, and
charts as needed.
This book is definitely on the cutting edge for today
(and probably until the next Windows appears). If you have a tablet PC or
multi-touch input device, there are four great chapters dedicated to that
subject that are a must-read. The other sections on some of the sensor and
location functions were very cool as well. If you have an older laptop or
PC, whether on Windows 7 or not, you will be sorely tempted to upgrade
and/or add hardware just to play with some of this stuff. The Taskbar,
Libraries, Windows Ribbon, and performance sections are more mundane, but
line of business applications will really benefit from that extra snap in
these tools in Windows 7 (when your company lets you upgrade).
While my experience with this book was excellent, I do
have a couple comments/warnings as well as one major issue. First the
comments and warnings – be prepared to CODE! You cannot get the most out of
this book without sitting down and taking the time to work the examples and
sample code (which was good but should have included Chapter 2 and 3). The
authors do a great job of mixing up unmanaged C++, .NET, WPF, etc. and
trying not to alienate any particular style of programmer. If you are solid
C++ hacker, you’ll be in heaven here; and .NET Windows programmers will be
comfortable with the C# examples. Be ready to go online, read blogs
(co-author Sasha Goldshtein’s is highly recommended!) and documentation.
This book will get you most of the way but doesn’t hold your hand at any
time outside of Chapter 1; it gets you what you need but be prepared to work
for the knowledge. It will be worth it.
In addition if you are a .NET programmer, you really
need to take the time and look at the source for the Windows API Code Pack
for the .NET Framework. This free download from the MSDN Code Gallery is the
foundation for most of the .NET samples and indispensible. There was at
least one code sample in the book that required a quick bug fix to the Code
Pack.
Finally the only significant problem I saw. As
primarily a C# programmer dealing with managed code and occasionally Windows
API, it was uncomfortable when the book went from 0 to 60 between Chapter 1
and Chapter 2. The authors dug right in and started referencing interfaces
and code as if they had discussed them but they never did. I believe this
happened because of an editorial oversight as a section entitled
“Introduction to the Windows Shell” in Chapter 1 was referenced but omitted
(and not available online that I could find). A little research online got
me up to speed but it was a little frustrating to find such a key section
missing.
To sum up, if you want or need to program Windows 7
features for work or fun, are willing to get your hands dirty, and can learn
new concepts, buy this book. You won’t be disappointed. |
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