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When learning the C# language. With all the applications being developed these days. Would I be better off focusing on windows forms development or WPF development. I want to develop software that uses ADO.net for SQL Server database access. Also stand alone applications to integrate with Microsoft Office to create charts and graphs etc…
Although for the purposes of Windows UI that both can achieve similar results, their function is independent of one another as is their purpose.
WinForms is tried and true, non-evolving due to strong roots. It does not mean WinForms is deprecated. It just means that the foundation classes for WinForms are well established and flexible. Keep in mind the flexibility in extending WinForms via the Control class and deep-engineering UI messaging (via handles exposed by the WinForms classes).
WPF however is an abstraction layer to design user interfaces, not necessarily or exclusively Windows user interfaces. The most difficult hurdle to leap is transitioning from the thought of coordinate based user interfaces (pixel/bitmap/index) to vector based user interfaces where WPF can adapt to virtually any size control or plane of rendering.
The benefit of WPF is that you’re learning three different targets for your applications – Windows UI, SilverLight, and now Windows Phone. WinForms targets Windows UI and Windows Mobile (CE). A clean UI based on common widgets has an appropriate foundation in WinForms. If a customized, dynamic UI is your target, take WPF for a spin.