Using resources and templates

When building graphical user interfaces, you will often want to use a resource, such as a brush to paint the background of controls or an instance of a class to perform custom conversions. These resources can be defined in a single place and shared throughout the app.

Sharing resources

A good place to define shared resources is at the app level, so let's see how to do that.

1. In Solution Explorer, open the App.xaml file.
2. Add the following markup inside the existing Application element to define a linear gradient brush with a key of rainbow, as shown highlighted in the following markup:

   <Application
       x:Class="FluentUwpApp.App"
       xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
       xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
       xmlns:local="using:FluentUwpApp">
     <Application.Resources>
       <LinearGradientBrush x:Key="rainbow">
        ...