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runtime checks

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Runtime checks in Windows development allow apps to dynamically detect available features using API contracts. This technique enables adaptive apps that adjust behavior based on OS version, device family, or platform capabilities. By performing runtime checks, developers can safely call newer APIs on supported systems while falling back gracefully on older versions. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP) supports this pattern, helping apps target multiple device families without requiring separate builds. Common use cases include version-adaptive code, platform-specific features, and responsive UI adjustments. Runtime checks are essential for building robust, forward-compatible Windows applications that work across diverse hardware and software environments.
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    Dynamically detecting features with API contracts (10 by 10)

    Brent Rector, a principal program manager on Windows helped write this post. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP) allows you to write your app once and target multiple device families, while also taking advantage of new APIs introduced on later versions of the OS as well as using unique APIs...
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    • adaptive apps api contracts apiinformation app design build 2015 development device families feature detection hardware buttons nuget platform adaptivity programming runtime checks software development storage api universal api uwp version adaptivity visual studio windows 10
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