In addition to increasingly popular web applications, HTML and JavaScript-based applications have also made an appearance on the desktop with Windows 8. The WinJS API allows the creation of full-blown Windows 8 desktop applications combining the rich built-in features of Windows 8 and the tremendous capabilities of existing JavaScript libraries.

And of course, where HTML and JavaScript run, so does WebSharper 😃 We are therefore happy to announce the upcoming release of WebSharper for Windows 8 Desktop. This will include full WinJS bindings as well as a set of Visual Studio templates to get you quickly started with the development of desktop applications with WebSharper.

As a preview of the capabilities offered by WebSharper for Windows 8 Desktop, we are releasing a simple yet inclusive application on the Windows Store.

This is a simple function plotting application that demonstrates the combined use of Windows 8 styles and controls and JavaScript goodness.

The above screenshot shows the HTML5 Canvas used to draw the functions, Windows 8-styled titles and buttons, as well as Windows 8 specific controls such as the ListView for the history panel on the right.

The screenshot below features an external JavaScript library, MathJax, which renders mathematical equations using TeX's robust layout algorithm.

We are very much looking forward to putting WebSharper for Windows 8 Desktop in your hands to see what you can do with it!