Lecture 2-WSA Flashcards
(12 cards)
What was the main architectural shift introduced with Windows 8 and 10 for app development?
Windows 8: Introduced a unified kernel across devices (PC, Xbox, Windows Phone)
Windows 10: Enabled platform convergence – write once, run on many device types (HoloLens, IoT, etc.)
➡️ Apps must be adaptive and responsive to varying screen sizes, inputs, and architectures.
What is Windows Runtime (WinRT) and how does it relate to Windows Store Applications (WSA)?
WinRT is the modern API layer that powers WSAs.
It provides:
Sandboxing
Modern APIs
Language support (C++, C#, JS)
Lifecycle control (suspend/resume)
➡️ WSAs run on WinRT, using AppX packages and declared permissions.
How are WSAs sandboxed, and what does that mean for resource access?
WSAs run in a sandboxed environment:
Registry access is blocked
File system access is restricted (only AppData unless permission granted)
Network access must be declared in the manifest
➡️ This ensures security, stability, and efficient resource management.
How does the OS manage WSA activity when apps are minimized or idle?
The app is:
Throttled when out of focus
Suspended/unloaded when minimized
This saves battery and memory, but may disrupt long-running tasks like timers or games.
What are App Contracts in WSAs, and why are they necessary?
App Contracts are safe integration points that let sandboxed apps participate in OS-wide features like:
Sharing content (Share Source/Target)
Handling searches (Search Contract)
Accessing files via File Picker
Providing services (App Services)
➡️ Must be explicitly declared in the app’s manifest.
Name and describe two modern features of WSAs that allow rich interaction despite sandboxing.
Push Notifications → App receives updates even when not open
Protocol Activation → App can be launched via custom URI like myapp://view?id=42
What is Windows 10 IoT Core and why is it used?
A lightweight Windows version for embedded/IoT devices:
Can run headless (no screen) or with GUI
Supports GPIO access to control hardware (e.g., sensors, LEDs)
➡️ Runs WSAs using WinRT on devices like Raspberry Pi.
How does WinRT improve on traditional Win32 API in terms of architecture and development?
WinRT offers:
Object-oriented APIs
Sandboxing and lifecycle control
Language interoperability (C++, C#, JS)
Compared to Win32:
WinRT is modern, safer, more scalable, and suited for UWP apps.
Compare the .NET Framework with .NET Core / .NET 5+ in terms of platform support and modern features.
.NET Framework .NET Core / .NET 5+
Windows-only Cross-platform (Linux, macOS, Windows)
Closed source Open source, modular
Moderate speed Faster, leaner
Maintenance only Actively developed
What are the key differences between WinForms, WPF, and UWP in Windows application development?
These are three major UI frameworks provided by Microsoft for building Windows applications, but they were designed for different eras and goals.
WinForms is the oldest (from 2002), based on a simple, pixel-based UI system. It uses drag-and-drop UI design, is fast to build with, but lacks support for modern UI, animation, and hardware acceleration. It runs only on Windows and is best for basic desktop tools.
WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) came in 2006 and introduced XAML-based, vector-driven UI. It supports rich graphics, animations, data binding, and hardware acceleration using DirectX. It’s great for desktop apps that need custom visuals and follows the MVVM pattern. Also Windows-only.
UWP (Universal Windows Platform) is the modern approach introduced with Windows 10. It also uses XAML, but it’s designed to run across many device types: PCs, Xbox, HoloLens, IoT, etc. UWP apps are sandboxed, packaged as .appx, and usually distributed via the Microsoft Store. They support adaptive layouts and permissions-based access to system resources.
What do the terms “WSA”, “UWP app”, and “Windows Store App” mean, and how are they related?
Windows Store Apps (WSAs): Introduced in Windows 8, built with WinRT + XAML, and installed from the Windows Store.
UWP Apps (Universal Windows Platform): The evolution of WSAs in Windows 10, designed to run on any Windows 10+ device (PC, Xbox, HoloLens, IoT, etc.) using a single codebase.
Both are sandboxed, use AppX packaging, and rely on WinRT for secure, adaptive, and cross-device behavior.
➡️ Summary: WSA (Windows 8) → UWP (Windows 10) — same concept, newer name, more devices supported.
