As I understand it, eMbedded VC++ can be used to write applications that will work in Windows Mobile 5/6. I'm curious as to what I would miss out on in terms of API. In other words, what's new and shiny in VS 2005 that would make it worth my money to purchase instead of just using eMbedded VC++?
Particularly, I'm interested in writing a Today Screen plugin (so the .Net features don't matter to me very much). Is there any API breakage between Pocket PC 2003 and Windows Mobile 5/6 regarding Today Screen .dll's?
Alternately, is there a way to use the Windows Mobile 5/6 SDK with eMbedded VC++?
embedded vc++ apps can run on wm6 devices because in most cases all arm wm apps can run on all wm devices
the beta2 of visual stuio 2008 is free and can also do what vs2005 can and more
Rudegar said:
embedded vc++ apps can run on wm6 devices because in most cases all arm wm apps can run on all wm devices
the beta2 of visual stuio 2008 is free and can also do what vs2005 can and more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know eMbedded VC++ apps can run on WM6, my question was more about whether there are any differences in available library/API calls using the older development platform, any name mangling issues writing DLL's, etc. Can I just use eMbedded VC++ to compile against the newest SDK libraries?
You will miss the following:
1) 1GB+ of you hard drive wasted.
2) 5 minutes wasted every time you try to access built in help
3) A lot of time lost due to slow response of the IDE
4) Programs that are not backward compatible.
5) Spending lots of money unless you have "other" ways of acquiring VS which we do not condone.
I worked with VS 2005 and still prefer eVC 4.
API is just a matter of what libraries you link to. You can get all the shiny new bells and whistles (frankly I am not familiar with any critical API, and certainly there is nothing new for today plugins) in two ways:
1) Manually unpack WM 5 or 6 SDK and link to its libs.
(Project->Settings->Link)
2) Use LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress to dynamically gain access to the API.
Oh and if you want to write today plugin check out this article and the link to RegDisplay in my signature. It is a skeleton plugin project you can use as a base.
Oh and stay away from VS 2008 at least till it comes out of beta. VS 2005 beta was the worst nightmare I ever seen and I can bet MS track record has not improved.
Related
What is the very basic programming in making applications to wm2003? like visualbasic 6.0 in the PC in there visual basic for pocket pc? Thanks Where can i get it?
there is visual studio 2003 .net
Hi,
I have started to code quite a bit for Windows Mobile 2003 and have not looked back )
You can try several different routes, the easiest and least expensive is to download the Micrsoft WM2003 SDK from their site (easier to do a google search for Windows Mobile 2003 SDK). You will need to download the SDK(s) as well as either eVB or eVC (eVB is your best option as its very similar to Visual Basic), however these tools are still quite 'hardcore' and require a fair amount of investment from you.
In addition to eVB you can try AppForge for Visual Basic 6.0 which plug's into VB6 and allows you create feature rich WM2003 applications, AppForge also installs a Booster tool on your Pocket PC device which greatly enhances he speed of the the VB apps.
The best route in my opinion is to download the Visual Studio 2005 Express Beta tools. Microsoft took Visual Studio.NET 2003 and updated allot of the tool sets, added more Mobile Device support and split up the different modules (so you will have to download what you need, i.e VB.NET Express). If you have the money you can fork out for the professional version of Visual Studio.NET 2003 which includes fulll support of Pocket PC/Windows Mobile 2003 & Smartphone devices (some through the download of the correct SDK, VS.NET can use emulators to run apps through the IDE without the need for a physical device docked with the main host).
Finally, to imporve your VB.NET coding experience and make the job of developing Pocket PC/Windows Mible 2003 apps, you can purchase (download available) a copy of AppForge CrossFire for .NET which allows you to use the Visual Studio.NET Visual Basic or C# languages.
Personally, I code nearly all of my Pocket PC apps in Visual Studio.NET 2003 using the C# lnaguage (I an one of the rare people who love C proramming)..
Cheers,
Taz
Wow.. I started this thread since sept 23 and got a new reply now.. this is a dead thread but you revived it.. thanx for your help now im currently donwloading the SDK... Thanx
i want to learn and start making software for wm5 which Visual Studio should i get
i am on this page http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/ am i on the wrong page or could some one tell me which one to download or give me i direct link thanks
***bump***
Visual studio express edition does not support mobile devices.
You would need the full VS 2005 and that costs a lot. (Not that great either. My work station is 2.4GHz with 256MB RAM and it almost kills it).
What you should get is the free eVC 4 + service pack 4 + WM 2003 SDK.
Any program written with that will work fine on WM 5 and you can always manually unpack and add the WM 5 SDK if you want easy access to some extra APIs (very few of those).
levenum thanks but the cost doesnt matter as i have a little friend called emule am sure he will help me out
and my pc's spec is a bit higher than yours but i think i will take your advice as i like to muilty task thanks m8
Get any Visual Studio 2005 edition just not Express.
Visual studio 2005 pro.. install it, and after that go to msdn website search for Windows mobile 5.0 SDK download it and install it..
Pocket PC programming
Try SYSBASE Pocketbuilder. It's a lot quicker to get things done. I have both products and we do most things in pocket builder now.
SteveW
I use Visual Studio 2005 Profession Edition and I run it on my desktop which is a 3Ghz, 512MB RAM machine and it runs really quickly.
Noob question: Does HTC have an SDK for their devices, or do they just rely on the WM6 SDK?
And on a related note...
I'm just starting to get into VB programming for WM (specifically, for my Tilt/Kaiser). Any advice on how best to get started? Stupid beginner mistakes to avoid? Best sites for finding sample code?
Thanks all!
-Florp
There is no special SDK form HTC devices.
In fact you do not even have to use WM 6 SDK specifically, programs compiled with previous SDKs will work as well.
Here is a site to start with: www.pocketpcdn.com
Personally, VB is not a language I recommend for WM based devices. Aside from a fact that you need the expansive VS 2005 (full version) to program in it, .NET compact framework makes for slower apps and on devices pre WM 6 it takes 5 MB to install CF 2.
Also, you can not use it to write things like today plugins and keyboards and accessing other system functions is a problem.
Thanks for the info!
If not VB, how about C#? Is that a well-supported language on WM?
-Florp
Well C# is a bit better than VB syntax vise but it suffers from all the same problems I listed before:
Need VS 2005
Need .NET CF2 -which is slow and built in only in WM 6
Difficulty accessing native APIs.
My personal recommendation is C++. If you are really interested in programming and don't know it - learn it.
Why?
MS has a free tool to compile for WM devices: Embedded visual C++ 4
You can write anything with it and access any system API directly with no problem.
Native codes runs faster and is more memory officiant because no supporting framework needs to be loaded.
Of course it all really depends on what you want to do. If you just want to make a quick simple app for you own use VB or C# may be more than enough provided you can get you hands on VS 2005.
Hi @ll codejunkies
i want to start developing/programming without the .NET CompactFramework for our WM5/WM6 Devices..
Till now, i used Visual Studio 2005, but i think with .NET the program is only "interpreted". Now i want to compile a program that don´t need the Framework for .NET.
So my question: Which Programming Languages are available to develop this "real" exe-Programs?? and what GUIs and Compilers i can use for it?
thanxx 2 @ll
The only real option without using runtime libraries such as the .NET framework is C++.
Is therefor a SDK?
You use the same SDK you were using all along. Infact, you can even use the same Visual Studio you were using all along. Just select Visual C++ on project type, and select smart device solution, and you're ready to go! . You'll have to have extensive use of the win32 api to get started though. The basics are EXACTLY the same as the desktop version.
on the microsoft Homepage i found out, that the SKD for WM6 only support .NET???
how can i then develop and compile then to native code, without use .NET Framework????
nEuDy said:
on the microsoft Homepage i found out, that the SKD for WM6 only support .NET???
how can i then develop and compile then to native code, without use .NET Framework????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SDK supports C++ as well. Visit the MSDN site for technical documentation.
nuEdy: It`s not true, SDK has tools and documetation for managed and of course native development.
As mentioned above. Embedded C++ version 4.0. Free download from the Microsoft website. Compiles for the WM 2003 SE platform SDK included in this download. Without .NET you will have to use the standard WIN32 application model, responding to WM_XXXXXX messages via WIN32 API calls. If you haven't done this before, you will have a long hard slog to master it, but the results are worth it. Start by looking at the code created by the hello world app until you understand what the hell is going on. Release .EXEs can be run directly under the WM6 SDK as this is a true ARM emulator, not the half way x86 code used by the 2003 SE SDK.
Stick to two menubar items and WM6 will display them either side of the keyboard icon as per WM6 Apps. More than two and the menubar appears in WM2002/3 mode.
I need help - I want to start writing programs for my Tilt. Looking through the posts it seems the C++ is the way to go. I found a bunch of nice tutorials on the web on how to program in C++ but not now to write a program for a pocket pc.
Specifically I need help with which programs to download.
Im looking for a list like this of exactly what I need to get
1. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ 4.0.
2. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ SP4
3. Microsoft pocket pc 2003 sdk.msi
4. Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Device Emulator
or what ever
Thanks I tried to figure this out on my own but got frustrated after installing like 7 different programs. Seems like you should only need 1 program but it seems like you need to download a bunch.
Also with the Embedded Visual C++ program I dont see where to enter your code - like open workspace or something?
ronschaefer said:
I need help - I want to start writing programs for my Tilt. Looking through the posts it seems the C++ is the way to go. I found a bunch of nice tutorials on the web on how to program in C++ but not now to write a program for a pocket pc.
Specifically I need help with which programs to download.
Im looking for a list like this of exactly what I need to get
1. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ 4.0.
2. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ SP4
3. Microsoft pocket pc 2003 sdk.msi
4. Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Device Emulator
or what ever
Thanks I tried to figure this out on my own but got frustrated after installing like 7 different programs. Seems like you should only need 1 program but it seems like you need to download a bunch.
Also with the Embedded Visual C++ program I dont see where to enter your code - like open workspace or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHAT kind of applications you are trying to write?
Do you need to write a device driver for your PDA?
ronschaefer said:
I need help - I want to start writing programs for my Tilt. Looking through the posts it seems the C++ is the way to go. I found a bunch of nice tutorials on the web on how to program in C++ but not now to write a program for a pocket pc.
Specifically I need help with which programs to download.
Im looking for a list like this of exactly what I need to get
1. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ 4.0.
2. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ SP4
3. Microsoft pocket pc 2003 sdk.msi
4. Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Device Emulator
or what ever
Thanks I tried to figure this out on my own but got frustrated after installing like 7 different programs. Seems like you should only need 1 program but it seems like you need to download a bunch.
Also with the Embedded Visual C++ program I dont see where to enter your code - like open workspace or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to do it with visual studio and the emulator, im not 100% sure though, I only know a limited amount of Java.
Most phones support .net/C#/Java, so pick a language
What I want to write
Just some fun stuff =
One idea I had is a generic sound simulator, tie buttons to different sound - .wav files; animal sounds, machine sounds, phasor blasts, drum kit, theme music like - http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/illuminated/a5bf/
I want to have it look nice too with decent graphics.
i suggest to use Visual Studio 2005 or 2008.
It's simplest way to start (and continue) to write programs.
Both native and NET technologies are supported. C++ and C# available.
Both VS versions are coming with integrated Device Emulator with WM5(VS2005) and WM6(VS2008) images for PDA/PDAPhone/SP and remote debugger for real PDA/PDAPhone/SP devices.
If you are using VS2005/2008. Download the latest Windows Mobile 6 SDK (Standard and Pro) for the best Emulation.
Ta
Dave
but c# only works with .net
where c++ works with win32(native) microMFC(Native) and .net
more info can be found
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380069&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=382995&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=226412&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=336251&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=305926&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=302548&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=228043&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=317913&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=237932&highlight=programming
yes, С# is for NET only. This language appeared together with NET technology as alternative to Java after breakup with SUN
C# is closer to BASIC than C++. I, personally, don't recommend C#. Ths "strange" language is for lazy people. Almost nothing left of C++ and its ideology.
Visual Studio 2008 Pro trial version
Thanks for you advice - i deleted all that embedded C++ stuff - was way too confusing, must have had like 8 programs installed and still was not working - I like the idea of just 3 things the visual studio and the 2 WM6 SDKs
Im going to try the visual studio 2008 - there is a trial version of it for 90 days
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/products/aa700831.aspx
Would i be better off with the 2005 version as Im using Xp not Vista on my main computer. Should I get the Try Visual Studio "Team System" 2008 - Trial Software or just stick with the regular one i downloaded?
I also downloaded the standard and professional WM6 SDKs
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...745-88EF-3D48091A390B&displaylang=en#filelist
I used embedded visual tools in the past (3 and 4). Be aware that you cannot use the WM5 SDK with eVC, you must use Visual Studio for that. The latest thing usable with eVC is the WM2003 SDK, as far as I know. Also, the emulator handling in eVC was quite sluggish and buggy. When I switched to VS2005, it was like a deliverance to me. Also, the help system in VS is a blessing. *g*
Though I used Delphi's VCL in the past, I would never freely touch such a thing on restricted hardware such as in PDAs. Hence, .NET, MFC and of course *cough* Java *cough* are out of the question. I'm a pure C++ writer. The progs are nicely small and fast. And there are always alternatives to the things I can't use because of that: for instance instead of MFC CStrings I got acquainted with STL library's strings. There's also ATL which supposedly can be used instead of MFC for GUI programming, but when I looked for it some years back I found only very little information about that.
Happy coding.
Is it true that you can only develop WinMo C++ in VS Pro?
I read on the Microsoft marketplace that the standard edition dosnt support mobiles..
are there any alternatives (C++ only please..)
yes they only support through pro... but you can get it for free through dreamspark if you are a student
joel2009 said:
yes they only support through pro... but you can get it for free through dreamspark if you are a student
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
damn, I am a student but my uni isnt listed
I asked one of the admins and they are looking into getting on the list
But it might be too late coz its my last year..
Mic159 said:
damn, I am a student but my uni isnt listed
I asked one of the admins and they are looking into getting on the list
But it might be too late coz its my last year..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good news. My uni isn't listed either. It is a simple matter of verifying your student status on journey ed. I'm glad I could help with this because it turns out that I could get all the dreamspark software through my school's MSDNAA program anyways.