2

I have seen this excellent post SO.

As most do, I began a new simple project that has no UI requirement. I noticed the Blank App ( Universal Windows ) option. What is the difference between that and a Console app?

I need an executable that will do some coverting of tiff to pdf type work on a every so often basis. ( every 30 minutes )

I also do not want a service, as in this case there is no need for it to constantly run

Community
  • 1
  • 1
Neo
  • 3,309
  • 7
  • 35
  • 44
  • They have nothing whatsoever in common. There is no option to get a console window in UWP, it must always be a GUI. "Will do some conversion work" is certainly not an appropriate UWP app job. – Hans Passant Feb 03 '17 at 17:41
  • 1
    http://stackoverflow.com/a/2686476/17034 – Hans Passant Feb 03 '17 at 17:59

1 Answers1

1

Universal Windows Blank app refers to Universal Windows Platform (UWP).

It uses a subset of .Net Framework, also has some parts that aren't in .Net Framework (thanks to @DavidJ comment) and has some other app behaviour limitations. It's used for apps running on wide range of devices like Windows PC, Windows phones, Xbox and other Microsoft products.

Look at particular quote:

Windows 10 makes it easier to develop apps for the UWP with just one API set, one app package, and one store to reach all Windows 10 devices – PC, tablet, phone, Xbox, HoloLens, Surface Hub and more.

So there's no need to use it just for Windows_PC_only console application.

More links:

pkuderov
  • 3,501
  • 2
  • 28
  • 46
  • So if I just want an scheduled task ( No UI and not a Service) to run which is the best project type? – Neo Feb 03 '17 at 17:48
  • 1
    Good ol' `Console app` :) – pkuderov Feb 03 '17 at 17:50
  • The description of what a UWP application is when selecting it in Visual Studion is suckie – Neo Feb 03 '17 at 17:52
  • 1
    yeah, even googling it you'll find first Microsoft marketing blah-blah-blah. Just remember that using UWP is getting rewarded only when you *really* need its multi-device benefits or Windows Store integration or smth else because of a lot of limitations and quirks – pkuderov Feb 03 '17 at 17:56
  • Confused by "It uses a subset of .Net Framework" as I need a console-only app to run on Win10 to access the Windows.Devices.Sensors namespace (to provide sensor data over the network), but I don't see it listed in the .NET reference, only the UWP API reference?? – DavidJ May 09 '17 at 20:23
  • @DavidJ yeah, it's UWP specific. So in your case you should choose UWP application template (Blank App, I suppose). – pkuderov May 09 '17 at 21:09
  • 2
    Now I see your point. There're parts of .Net framework that are not in UWP and there're parts of UWP that are not in .Net. So strictly speaking UWP isn't subset of .Net - they have huge common part and both have unique parts. – pkuderov May 09 '17 at 21:13