What kind of program can be used to create Windows Phone Apps?

Visual Studio 2013 (even the Express Windows edition with update 2 RC) and Blend for Visual Studio 2013 can be used. VS2013 is of course more difficult to use if you are not inclined towards programming. Blend is easier if you know the three pillars, HTML 5, CSS3 and JavaScript. Even then the JavaScript used is implemented by means of a library created to make programming robust, maintainable and somewhat easier. Blend can also be used to create XAML based apps for both Windows and Windows Phone using some shared code.

Blend understands HTML and XAML. If you are a JavaScript person you better go with Blend using HTML.

Here are the kinds of Apps that you can create using Blend.

 HTML Store Apps

1. Universal Apps

          Blank App
          Hub/Pivot
          Navigation App

    2.  Windows Apps

          Blank App
          Grid App
          Split App
          Hub App
          Navigation App
 
   3. Windows Phone Apps
    
        Blank App
        Pivot App
        Navigation App

• XAML Store Apps

1.  Universal Apps

        Blank APP
        Hub App
        Class Library (Portable for Universal App)
        Windows Runtime Component (Portable for Universal App)
        Windows Runtime Component(Universal App)
  
    2.   Windows Apps
    

         Blank App

         Hub App

         Grid App

         Split App

         Class Library

         Windows Runtime Component

   

   3  Windows Phone Apps
    
        Blank App
        Hub App
        Pivot App
        WebView App
        Class Library
        Windows Runtime Component
        Blank App (Windows Phone Silverlight)
        Databound App (Windows Phone Silverlight)
        Control Library (Windows Phone Silverlight)
        Panorama App (Windows Phone Silverlight)
        Pivot app(Windows Phone Silverlight)