Database Users

Reading the registry with Visual Studio 2003

I'm developing a small application for my HTC Wizard, which I'm programming with Visual Studio 2003.
I need to open the shell application for M3U files, which I've tracked down to HKCR\M3UFile\Shell\Open\Command... but now I can't figure out how to either read that key to open the relevant player, or to execute the m3u file directly.
Because I'm using VS2003, I don't have access to system.win32 with the compact framework, so what techniques have others of you used to read or write to the registry?
Also, just as a side note, how do you find the current path?
Thanks,
Jon

There is no real concept of current path in CE. If you want to know the path your EXE is in, use GetModuleHandle(NULL) -- it'll return the fully-qualified path name of that process's EXE, from which you can parse out a path.
I'd advise against using the compact framework; .Net is a loser on PPCs as it just slows things down, taking up extra memory & cycles on a platform where both are in short supply. Use the real Windows APIs instead -- i.e. call RegCreateKeyEx/RegSetValueEx.

And if you choose to use Win32 API you can just call ShellExecuteEx()
and not mess with the registry.

RegQueryValueEx is what you need. Just set the appropriate type and buffer.
V

I'm always willing to learn new stuff... are there any good resources on programming for PPC without using .net?
I know there's EVC++, but I've installed it, and now I don't know what to do with it!
Regards,
Jon

JonTheNiceGuy said:
I'm always willing to learn new stuff... are there any good resources on programming for PPC without using .net?
I know there's EVC++, but I've installed it, and now I don't know what to do with it!
Regards,
Jon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can either use EVC++4, which is free but has an aged, not-so-standard C++ compiler (since it based on VC++6...but it only means a few quirks), or you can use Visual Studio 2005 which is supposed to replace EVC.

Jon, not to state the obvious, but there are many c++ tutorials for the PPC on the interweb.
What kind of experience do you have?
V

I have no prior experience with C++ - I bought the C++ For Dummies book in a charity shop a month or so ago, but it seems to refer to software that isn't available any more!
My core experience is with PHP, and recently I've been more interested in VB.NET for small apps at work, but most of what I want to do is with Windows Mobile - for which, all I have is Visual Studio 2003, and my co. won't fund me buying VS2005 as I got it for an old project that I still maintain, and anything new I need to write for work I can do with VS2005 Express...
That said, I'm not afraid of learning a new language, especially something as powerful as C++.

C++ for dummies is excellent, the best I've come across so far.
Have a read through this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=209136#209136
I'm currently unlearning and then relearning my c++ - one thing I've learnt coming from other languages - c++ requires discipline. It's not about shortcuts, you build up from the basics and keep going steadily. But you need to be logical, and prepared to put in the effort. So discipline - it's been a long time since I've had to think about that!
V

newbie: creating appl. for xda pocket pc 2002

hello,
glad that i found this forum
new user of an xda Wallaby, i got a few questions,i would be happy if someone could help me. so sorry again for my boring questions.
is the pocket pc software separated from the phone software ? possible to get into the phone software?
i have little experience with basic and c. which development kit is okay , i saw Visual C++ for CE but thats a big cake for me, i would shot me in this, but only if this is the right thing. i look for a language with a phone software library, (and sorry for my bad english)
Thank You
edlin

Welcome to the forum.
First of, please don't worry about language here. This is a global forum and we have people from all over the world here.
Second, do you have any experience in programing for desktop windows?
Programing for Windows Mobile (it is actually a bit different from clean Windows CE) is basically Win32 programing so you need to familiarise yourself with that.
Now, the thing is that Pocket PC 2002 i a bit of an outdated system. Forunately, it is still supported.
What you need is a collection of free tools from Microsoft which you can download here. You also need Pocket PC 2002 SDK.
This collection includes 2 compilers eMbedded Visual basic and eMbedded Visual C++. I recommend using C++ as it is more powerful and doesn't need that pesky run time support VB uses. If you have any experience with Visual Studio 6 you will find the tools easy to get used to.
As for the 'phone software' it is part of windows, but using it involves more advance programing. First of you need to know how to use Win32 API. You can find documentation on TAPI (Telephony API) and RIL (Radio Layer Interface) in MSDN.
Good luck!

hello levenum,
thank you for your "Welcome"and Your helpful posting.
i first thought that it would perhaps be easier to go with an earlier version like CE 3, but then i have more troubles with cpu specific code?
i only tasted borland c 2.0 for dos and boland c++ 5.i saw a developers interface from a friend, Visual C++5, with Extension for Writing CE Applications,
I followed Your Download-Links, could not download Pocket PC 2002 SDK cause WGA Plugin failed i surf with a mac. i will find a solution )
so i will think on your words "First of you need to know how to use Win32 API" and step into Visual C++ first, thats a live step.
Thanks for Your Helpful Hints.
Greetings,
edlin

Programming the Hermes

Hi @ all...
i wanted to know if anyone is able to give ma an introduction into programming on mobile devices.
i've got the microsoft visual studio 2005 as a student version from my school, and found the mobile device template, but i wasn't able to figure some things out.
i will try much things by myself, but if anyone could give me an example on how to write a programm that accesses the phone line.
actually i want to write a program, that is able to place a call and send DTFM to the other side.
Is there a possibility to do this?
greetings
garfield

embedded visual c++ .. it is free and I'm using it .. look at what I've did all at my signature

What you are trying to do is not so simple. You need to read and learn about Telephony API (TAPI) which is a set of functions that lets you talk to the phone part of the device.
Also, you need to install the Window Mobile 5 and / or 2003 SDK which is available for free from MS.
Finally, you have not mentioned what programming languages you know.
There is probably simpler approach for .NET then TAPI, but .NET sucks.

hmm...
already heard about tapi... but i'm not really into c++ programming.
but this will be neccessary i think.
as i'm leraning c# at school for now, i will try it that way, and if you say, there might be an easier way with .net, i'll try this. both of the phones i want to program are wm6 so i don't have to worrie about the freaking big framework as it is incorporated into wm6...
i will take a look at it, now with having tapi in mind, MSDN might help me a little...
thanks for the help

Want to learn to program for Windows Mobile

Let's say I have lots of free time, am a pretty smart guy, and am infatuated with my Windows Mobile device. I am a veterinarian, and know next to nothing about programming, except how to meddle with other people's PHP or javascripts. I know HTML pretty well, and have some experience with basic Flash ActionScript. Can someone help me start learning how to program for Windows Mobile?
I need to know:
1) Some good beginner's books
2) Software to start off with (free stuff preferred)
3) Good websites to check out
Can you help?

I'm no programmer, but have wanted to dabble. From what I can tell, lots of folks use embedded visual c++ to program WM apps. This is a free compiler you can download from Microsoft (search for evc++), but there's not a lot of MSDN articles or MS help in general with evc++ because they want to move you to the .net compiler ($$$). Good luck.

I found this http://www.basic4ppc.com/but haven't tried it. It seems to be like Visual Basic, which is easy to learn. Maybe someone here tried it and can comment on it?

I tried installing Embedded Visual C++ on my Vista machine, but ran into all sorts of problems with it crashing while trying to compile "Hello World!" any ideas?
In the meantime, I've downloaded and am using Visual C++ 2008 Express edition (free). Will that allow me to compile for Windows Mobile (.arm)?

Evb and Evc are old languages,actually most of the programmers are using .Net languages.
You need to install IDE Visual Studio then make a choice of the language you will use..
But I am not a programmer,someone else can redirect you better.
Good luck!

unapproachable2kx said:
Evb and Evc are old languages,actually most of the programmers are using .Net languages.
You need to install IDE Visual Studio then make a choice of the language you will use..
But I am not a programmer,someone else can redirect you better.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EVB might be old, but EVC uses C/C++ in the exact same fashion you would use it in Visual Studio 2008. The key for me, is to really think about what you want to do, and what you want out of programming.
If you want to develop a little app that does some simple computation, or things less graphical, and you really don't have a passion for developing, then plunge into .NET. It's easy, it's effective and it'll get the job done.
On the other hand, if you're getting into multimedia, and your heart is in with software developing, then I must stress that the C/C++ route is REALLY where you should be going. I must warn you though, if you're new to programming, don't expect to have things fired up and running in 10 mins. It will take time .
Just my 2-Cents,
Chad.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsmobile/bb264341.aspx
heres some videos that will help u get started!

ekw said:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsmobile/bb264341.aspx
heres some videos that will help u get started!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks guyz..i was also looking for this ...

Ppl (pocket Programming Language)

I wanted to start a new thread on a new piece of programming software that I recently purchased. I was looking for a programming language that was easy to use for beginners and experts. I own a Sprint HTC Touch and I wanted to make my own software to run on WM6. I have not completely messed with it but it sort of reminds me of MS Visual Basic with drag and drop and also code. If you want more info please follow this link: http://www.arianesoft.ca/page.php?1 . This software combines some of the most well known programming languages. I was hoping that there were other people who had and were also working with the same software and who had tips,tricks,source code and software using this programming software. I also forgot to mention that this software not only installs on you pc but also installs on you pocket pc so you can create software on the go. If there are any other languages out there like this please post. I hope this fits in this category.

Yes..this is a good language..i am familiar with it..it also lets you make Games....Visit their forums for sample apps

Been using PPL for a while now. Very good application and can actually produce some fast running apps.
Certainly wouldn't use it for a professional application, but for graphics/games, it's one of the best I've used.

Visual Studio have better compatibilities than PPL I think....

But, PPL is very easy to use and costs a lot less.

its funny but i even saw A_C's Post in their forum

I have a copy of one of A_Cs S2U2 source code from the PPL forums!

The one thing I like about PPL over Visual Basic (although I like VB)is that the software installs on my HTC Touch so I can program on the go. VB unfortunately does not. But with the drag and drop it looks just like VB