Windows 8, C++ and Metro GUI samples?

Question

So I look at this (Windows build keynote 1:42:56) And I just do not get it - what I can use to create GUI from C++ and/or GUI language that will be capable to call functions from my C++ code? HTML, XAML or what? And where to see code sample of doing markup call code and code create GUI sample with C++ for Windows 8 Metro apps?

Answer 1

If you want to call C++ code the easiest way will be to use C++ with Component Extensions. This is just plain C++ that compiles to native code however it has a few extensions (reminiscent of C++/CLI) that let you use the WinRT COM components without worrying quite so much about the COM plumbing.

With C++ and WinRT you can actually use XAML like the managed languages to define your user interface. It's pretty neat, see the documentation here:

• Information on C++ component extensions

I haven't looked into it but you may still be able to use P/Invoke or COM interop in the managed languages to call C++ code for a Metro style app however this is unconfirmed. Obviously a desktop app can do all the things it normally would.

Answer 2

Sample code in C++ and other languages is at http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps. You can take a look at how it's done.

Answer 3

You can use C++ code to write metro style applications. You can also write applications in Javascript/HTML/CSS and call APIs that you write in C++ or C#/VB from those JavaScript applications.