7 Desktop App Development Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Drawing from decades of experience in desktop and mobile software, Matt Lacey and Marcel Alexander Wagner guide you through leveraging the Uno Platform to build cross-platform applications using C# and XAML. You’ll learn to set up your development environment, write apps that run seamlessly on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and WebAssembly, and tackle common business and consumer scenarios. The book offers practical examples addressing how to extend Windows app skills to multiple platforms without reinventing the wheel, including creating 'world-ready' applications and combining technologies to accelerate your workflow. If you’re comfortable with WPF, UWP, or WinUI basics, this book helps you expand your reach efficiently.

Anne Boehm's decades of experience as a technical author shine through in this detailed guide to Visual Basic 2015. The book walks you through using Visual Studio 2015 and the .NET Framework 4.6 to build Windows Forms applications, offering clear explanations of VB.NET concepts alongside practical examples. You gain hands-on knowledge about event-driven programming, form controls, and database connectivity, with chapters that carefully balance theory and application. This volume suits developers aiming to deepen their mastery of Visual Basic for desktop environments, especially those transitioning from earlier VB versions or new to .NET programming.

This personalized book on desktop app development provides a tailored exploration that matches your background, skill level, and goals. It covers the essential principles of building robust desktop applications while diving into specific technologies and tools relevant to your interests. You’ll find clear explanations of core concepts like UI design, platform compatibility, and efficient coding practices, all focused on your development journey. The book reveals how to navigate challenges such as cross-platform integration and performance optimization with guidance suited to your experience. By focusing on your unique learning path, it transforms broad expert knowledge into an accessible, personalized resource that supports your mastery of desktop app development.

Ockert J. du Preez brings his deep programming experience and long-standing passion for .NET to this detailed guide on Visual Studio 2019. You’ll explore how to harness the IDE’s extensive features, from customizing your environment with extensions to mastering debugging and testing tools that boost your coding efficiency. The book dives into practical use of IntelliSense and cloud integration via Azure, showing you how to create real applications across desktop, web, and mobile platforms. If you want to sharpen your development workflow and understand how to leverage every corner of Visual Studio, this book offers a focused path without unnecessary jargon.

Matthew MacDonald, a seasoned author and MCSD developer, leverages his extensive experience with .NET to dissect the complexities of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) in this detailed guide. The book walks you through mastering WPF's core concepts using your existing C# skills, then escalates to advanced topics such as custom controls and data binding, illustrated with practical examples that focus on efficiency. You'll gain a deep understanding of building rich, responsive Windows applications that harness the full capabilities of the .NET 4.5 framework. If you aim to elevate your desktop application development skills with a thorough, example-driven approach, this book provides the technical depth you need without unnecessary filler.

What happens when deep expertise in Delphi meets the challenge of cross-platform development? Marco Cantù, a veteran in Delphi since its 1995 inception and a product manager for RAD Studio, teams up with Pawel Glowacki and Stephen Ball to deliver a detailed guide on leveraging Delphi's IDE and FireMonkey library for multi-device app creation. You’ll move beyond basics to master parallel programming, database embedding, and REST API publishing, all demonstrated through carefully crafted examples that show how to build fast, native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android from one codebase. If you’re looking to extend your Delphi skills into mobile or cross-platform territories, this book offers the technical depth and practical frameworks to get you there.

This personalized book explores a focused 90-day plan to accelerate your desktop application development projects. Tailored to your background and goals, it covers essential concepts from project planning to deployment, emphasizing practical steps that match your experience level and interests. You’ll find a clear pathway through complex development challenges, including architecture decisions, UI/UX considerations, and performance optimization, all aligned with your specific desktop app goals. By integrating expert knowledge with your unique context, this book offers a tailored learning journey designed to enhance your productivity and deepen your understanding of desktop app development. It reveals how to streamline your workflow and achieve tangible results within a condensed timeframe.

What happens when a seasoned Windows programming expert distills decades of experience into a single volume? Charles Petzold, a veteran author with over 24 years writing about Windows operating systems, revisits his foundational text with the fifth edition of Programming Windows. You gain deep familiarity with Win32 API programming essentials, from handling input and output to managing graphics, printing, multitasking, and internet programming. The book’s detailed examples illuminate complex concepts like Unicode support and dynamic-link libraries, making it a solid reference whether you're just starting or refining advanced skills. If you’re serious about mastering Windows application development, this book delivers a thorough technical grounding that few others match.

What started as Sai Kumar Koona's deep involvement in designing complex .NET systems became a detailed guide to the latest in desktop app development. You’ll explore the new features of .NET 8 and C# 12, learning how to harness frameworks like WinForms, WPF, Windows App SDK, Blazor, and MAUI to build cross-platform native applications. The book doesn’t just cover coding; it delves into architectural patterns and best practices, giving you a well-rounded grasp of modern desktop software design. If you’re a developer or UI/UX designer aiming to master the evolving .NET landscape, this book offers a clear path forward without unnecessary jargon.