Metro vs WPF for Windows 8?

Question

I am trying to think about the future development for Windows 8. I understand that Metro application development will mean that they are strictly intended for Windows 8 only.

But there is technology there, see How to create a Metro application in WPF , which means that WPF can be used to make something look Metro-style.

Do I understand correctly that a WPF application can be developed and run on Windows 7, but also work on Windows 8? If only Metro applications can be launched from the new Start screen in Windows 8, does this mean that traditional-style applications can still be launched through the operating mode?

thanks

Answer 1

“Normal” Windows applications can still work fine in desktop mode. In fact, if you have such an application, it will most likely work just like in Windows 7, and you really don't need to feel the pressure to create the Windows Store application (formerly known as Metro).

The question that you linked to talking about something completely different, however. It is designed to build applications like Zune or the Github Windows client in WPF. They have a certain aesthetic similar to Metro, but they are not really Windows Store apps. You cannot use WPF to create the latter, although most of the key concepts are similar or identical.

Answer 2

Metro is just a design language.

Traditional WPF can run on Windows 7 and on the Windows 8 desktop. They cannot be run on Windows RT devices.

Modern applications, i.e. Windows 8 / RT applications or Windows Store applications cannot be written using WPF and only work on Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Answer 3

Metro is much more than a graphical interface. It has access to Windows Runtime , providing common features such as access to webcams.

However, using WPF, you can make fun of the visual level of the metro. But they will be traditional desktop applications that will run in production mode in Windows 8.

I would suggest developing 2 layers of GUI (metro and desktop).