Introduction to C++ and DirectX Game Development

The video tutorials "Introduction to C++ and DirectX Game Development" teach about the game loop, input detection, applying basic shaders, state management, and more. With these skills, you'll be building the engine, not just the game—and you'll up-level your employability options with AAA companies at the same time.

1. Introduction and Getting Started
2. What DirectX Can Do and Creating the Main Game Loop
3. Creating, Texturing, and Moving Objects
4. State Management
5. Capturing User Input
6. Physics and Collision Detection
7. Adding AI and Other Extras to the Game

Microsoft Visual Basic 2013 Step by Step

Your hands-on guide to Visual Basic fundamentals

Expand your expertise—and teach yourself the fundamentals of Microsoft Visual Basic 2013. If you have previous programming experience but are new to Visual Basic 2013, this tutorial delivers the step-by-step guidance and coding exercises you need to master core topics and techniques.

Discover how to:

• Master essential Visual Basic programming techniques
• Begin building apps for Windows Store, Windows Phone 8, and ASP.NET
• Design apps using XAML markup, touch input, and live tiles
• Tackle advanced language concepts, such as polymorphism
• Manage data sources including XML documents and web data
• Create a Windows Phone 8 app that manages key lifecycle events

Microsoft Visual C# 2013 Step by Step

Your hands-on guide to Visual C# fundamentals

Expand your expertise—and teach yourself the fundamentals of Microsoft Visual C# 2013. If you have previous programming experience but are new to Visual C# 2013, this tutorial delivers the step-by-step guidance and coding exercises you need to master core topics and techniques.

Discover how to:

• Create and debug C# applications in Visual Studio 2013
• Work with variables, identifiers, statements, operators, and methods
• Create interfaces and define abstract classes
• Write robust code that can catch and handle exceptions
• Display and edit data using data binding with Microsoft ADO.NET Entity Framework
• Respond to user input and touchscreen gestures
• Handle events arising from multiple sources
• Develop your first Windows 8.1 apps

Windows 8.1 Inside Out

You're beyond the basics - so dive right in and really put your PC to work! This supremely organized reference packs hundreds of timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds for Windows 8.1. Plus, you get access to two and half hours of video training and a companion ebook.

Topics include:

• Installing, upgrading, or migrating to Windows 8.1
• Using and managing apps
• Personalizing your system
• Accessibility features
• Organizing, backing up, and restoring files
• Managing storage and using SkyDrive
• Digital media and home entertainment
• Security and privacy features
• Setting up and troubleshooting networking
• Maintenance, performance tuning, and troubleshooting
• Using Hyper-V virtualization

Windows 8.1 Step by Step

The smart way to learn Windows 8.1—one step at a time!

Experience learning made easy—and quickly teach yourself how to navigate and use Windows 8.1. With Step by Step, you set the pace—building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them!

• Navigate with ease using the new Start screen
• Search your files, music, and the web—all at once
• Store, access, and manage data in the cloud with SkyDrive
• Explore improvements in Internet Explorer 11
• Stay in touch using Mail, Calendar, People, and Skype
• Customize your computing experience with PC settings

Download MSDN Magazine for FREE

Digital version of MSDN Magazine is available to download for FREE here. The latest available issue is 2013 October, and Government Special Issue.

Download MSDN Magazine for FREE

Visit: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee310108.aspx

Free ebook: Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Second Edition (second preview)

Microsoft Press is pleased to offer the second preview of Kraig Brockschmidt’s in-depth ebook on writing Windows Store apps using HTML, CSS3, and JavaScript within the Windows 8.1 platform. Here are the download links:

• Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Second Edition (second preview) [16.4 MB PDF; 12 chapters & 3 appendices; 750 pages]
• Companion content for the Second Edition (second edition) [132 MB ZIP; code samples, plus 20 videos]

Free ebook: Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Second Edition (second preview)

Source: Microsoft Press Blog

Exam Ref 70-482: Advanced Windows Store App Development using HTML5 and JavaScript

Prepare for Microsoft Exam 70-482—and help demonstrate your real-world mastery of building Windows Store apps with HTML5 and JavaScript. Designed for experienced developers ready to advance their status, Exam Ref focuses on the critical-thinking and decision-making acumen needed for success at the MCSD level.

Focus on the expertise measured by these objectives:

• Develop Windows Store apps
• Discover and interact with devices
• Program user interaction
• Enhance the user interface
• Manage data and security
• Prepare for a solution deployment

This Microsoft Exam Ref:

• Organizes its coverage by exam objectives.
• Features strategic, what-if scenarios to challenge you.
• Includes a 15% exam discount from Microsoft. (Limited time offer)

Exam Ref 70-485: Advanced Windows Store App Development Using C#

Prepare for Microsoft Exam 70-485—and help demonstrate your real-world mastery of building Windows Store apps with C#. Designed for experienced developers ready to advance their status, Exam Ref focuses on the critical-thinking and decision-making acumen needed for success at the MCSD level.

Focus on the expertise measured by these objectives:

• Develop Windows Store apps
• Discover and interact with devices
• Program user interaction
• Enhance the user interface
• Manage data and security
• Prepare for a solution deployment

This Microsoft Exam Ref:

• Organizes its coverage by exam objectives.
• Features strategic, what-if scenarios to challenge you.
• Includes a 15% exam discount from Microsoft. (Limited time offer)

free eBook: Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals

Microsoft Press announced that Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals by Ed Bott is ready for download in PDF format.

This free ebook from Microsoft Press focuses on things that are new in Windows 8.1, with a special emphasis on topics of interest to IT pros. It’s currently available in pdf format.

Topics covered: An overview of Windows 8.1, the Windows 8.1 user experience, deploying Windows 8.1, security in Windows 8.1, Internet Explorer 11, delivering Windows Store apps, recovery options in Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 and networks, virtualization in Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1 and managing mobile devices.

Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals

Download Free ebook: Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals

Exam Ref 70-484: Essentials of Developing Windows Store Apps using C#

Exam Ref 70-484: Essentials of Developing Windows Store Apps using C#

Prepare for Microsoft Exam 70-484—and help demonstrate your real-world mastery of programming Windows Store apps using C#. Designed for experienced software developers ready to advance their status, Exam Ref focuses on the critical-thinking and decision-making acumen needed for success at the MCSD level.

Focus on the expertise measured by these objectives:

• Design Windows Store Apps
• Develop Windows Store Apps
• Create the User Interface
• Program the User Interaction
• Manage Security and Data

This Microsoft Exam Ref:

• Organizes its coverage by exam objectives.
• Features strategic, what-if scenarios to challenge you.
• Includes a 15% exam discount from Microsoft. Offer expires 12/31/2017.

Exam Ref 70-483: Programming in C#

Exam Ref 70-483: Programming in C#

Prepare for Microsoft Exam 70-483—and help demonstrate your real-world mastery of programming in C#. Designed for experienced software developers ready to advance their status, Exam Ref focuses on the critical-thinking and decision-making acumen needed for success at the Microsoft Specialist level.

Focus on the expertise measured by these objectives:

• Manage Program Flow
• Create and Use Types
• Debug Applications and Implement Security
• Implement Data Access

This Microsoft Exam Ref:

• Organizes its coverage by exam objectives.
• Features strategic, what-if scenarios to challenge you.
• Includes a 15% exam discount from Microsoft. Offer expires 12/31/2017.

PROFESSIONAL ASP.NET 4.5 IN C# AND VB

The all-new approach for experienced ASP.NET professionals!

ASP.NET is Microsoft's technology for building dynamically generated web pages from database content. Originally introduced in 2002, ASP.NET has undergone many changes in multiple versions and iterations as developers have gained a decade of experience with this popular technology. With that decade of experience, this edition of the book presents a fresh, new overhauled approach.

• A new focus on how to build ASP.NET sites and applications relying on field-tested reliable methods
• Integration of "One ASP.NET" philosophy treating ASP.NET Web Forms and ASP.NET MVC as equal tools each with their proper time and place
• Coverage of hot new ASP.NET 4.5 additions such as the Web API, Websockets and HTML5 & CSS3 use in layout but only to the extent that the tools themselves are practical and useful for working ASP.NET developers

Professional ASP.NET 4.5 in C# and VB is an essential tool for programmers who need to be productive and build reliably performing sites with the latest ASP.NET Framework and Visual Studio.

MCSD Certification Toolkit (Exam 70-483): Programming in C#

A perfectly crafted prep guide that prepares you for the MCSD 70-483

The MCSD 70-483 exam is the entry-level Microsoft certification exam for C# developers and this must-have resource offers essential coverage of the exam that will test your competency in C# programming. Each chapter covers one of the core subject domains that comprise the exam. Among the authors are experienced trainers who advised Microsoft on the development of its certification programs, affording them a unique understanding of both the objectives and what it takes to master them. This invaluable knowledge is passed to you so that you will not only be prepared to take the exam, but also become a better C# developer

• Features a step-by-step lab tutorial for each lesson covered in the book, encouraging you to practice what you've just learned in order to reinforce your learning
• Includes an accompanying website that includes more than 100 simulated test questions and answers
• Shares solutions to the hands-on labs presented in the book
• Contains complete sample code
• Offers a unique author approach that not only teaches you how to answer a set of exam questions but also provides you with an understanding of the underlying concepts and skills needed to succeed as a professional C# programmer

MCSD Certification Toolkit is all you need to fully prepare for exam 70-483!

First preview: Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Second Edition

Free eBook: First preview: Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Second Edition, is available to download: Here

Source: Microsoft Press Blog

FREE ebook: Windows Store Apps Succinctly

Syncfusion’s FREE eBook, Windows Store Apps Succinctly:

Windows Store apps present a radical shift in Windows development. They place content and interaction above all else to provide users with immersive, intuitive application experiences. With Windows Store Apps Succinctly by John Garland, you'll be guided through obtaining a developer license, to managing your application's life cycle and storage, all the way to submitting your app to the Windows Store.

Table of Contents

• Core Concepts
• XAML, Controls, and Pages
• Application Life Cycle and Storage
• Contracts and Extensions
• Tiles, Toasts, and Notifications
• Hardware and Sensors
• Deployment

Download Windows Store Apps Succinctly

Download MSDN February 2013 for FREE!

Digital veraion (PDF) of MSDN February 2013 issue is available for FREE here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee310108.aspx

Understanding how Data Binding Works at Design Time

Understanding how Data Binding Works at Design Time

In this lesson we take a short aside and learn about the design time experience in Visual Studio and learn how it is able to render sample data. This gives us insights into binding syntax, data collections, schemas and more.

Source: http://channel9.msdn.com/Series/Windows-Store-apps-for-Absolute-Beginners-with-C-/Part-8-Understanding-how-Data-Binding-Works-at-Design-Time#time=0h0m17s

Programming Windows® 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Apply your existing skills with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—and start building your own Windows 8 apps now. As a member of the Windows Ecosystem team, the author has trained hundreds of Microsoft engineers and has been on the front lines of bringing the first Windows 8 apps to the Windows Store. Through this book, you’ll get a thorough grounding in platform features and considerations, and delve into development essentials. “Quickstart” sections provide ready experience with the tools, API, and core features. And you’ll gain insights and best practices on design, coding, and performance from real-world developers working on real-world apps.

Topics includes:

• Platform Characteristics
• App Anatomy and Page Navigation
• Controls, Control Styling, and Basic Data Binding
• Collections and Collection Controls
• Layout
• Windows 8 Style Commanding UI
• State, Settings, Files, and Documents
• Input and Sensors
• Media
• Purposeful Animations
• Contracts
• Tiles, Notifications, the Lock Screen, and Background Tasks
• Networking
• Devices and Printing
• Extensions
• Localization, Accessibility, and the Windows Store

Windows 8 Inside Out

You’re beyond the basics—so dive right into Windows 8 and really put your PC to work! This supremely organized reference is packed with hundreds of timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds. It’s all muscle and no fluff. Discover how the experts tackle Windows 8—and challenge yourself to new levels of mastery!

Topics include:

• Installing and personalizing Windows 8
• Mastering the new UI and features
• Using pen, touch, and voice input
• Implementing security essentials
• Managing files, disks, and drives
• Sharing and synching digital media
• Setting up and troubleshooting a home or mobile network
• Monitoring and tuning performance