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Concentrating on the Win32 C APIs that power the new Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 operating system,
Windows CE 3.0 Application Programming provides an essential resource for anyone developing software for handheld devices. Filled with plenty of short sample code written in C (with some C++), this book shows what's different on the latest small footprint platform.
The focus on the APIs themselves is what sets this apart from many programming tutorials. Though there is a discussion of several higher-level techniques--like working with Unicode strings or doing memory management on the Windows CE platform--this book uses a solid and somewhat traditional approach to showing what features exist in this new OS. Section by section, the book walks you through the essential areas of API, from using files to network resources, as well as plenty of coverage of Windows CE features, including using property databases, the Pocket Office Object Model (POOM), ActiveSync, and CE versions of other Microsoft technologies (such as ADOCE and SQL Server CE for database programming).
Oddly, the book doesn't mention user interface programming. Though some Pocket PC devices do not even have interfaces, many do. This omission makes this text more about systems programming for Window CE, which means there is plenty of room to explore what's under the hood.
Instead of just listing the C API call, Windows CE 3.0 provides a snippet of code that shows precisely how to use each function. Network programming using HTTP and sockets, as well as serial communications and GPS device data (which is delivered through the serial port), are covered. You'll also want to read the chapter on Windows CE memory management--a crucial topic. Besides C, you also learn how to use MFC and C++ for certain functions--like database programming, threading, and OLE automation--which can simplify your programming chores.
Filled with advice on how to use the core functionality of Windows CE, plus plenty of time-saving code snippets of these APIs in action, Windows CE 3.0 Application Programming will be a valuable source of information on the latest version of Windows for mobile devices. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered:
- Introduction to the Windows CE 3.0 platform
- The Pocket PC, Handheld PC, and Palm Size PC standards
- eMbedded Visual C++ 3.0
- Working with Unicode strings
- Windows CE 3.0 C API tutorial
- File I/O functions, APIs for the object store, directory, and network
- Windows CE property databases (including basic database operations and the MFC database classes for Window CE)
- Processes and threads
- Thread priorities and states
- Synchronization objects (including critical sections, mutexes, and semaphores)
- Windows CE notifications
- Using the LED, HTTP, and Web clients
- TCP/IP and socket programming
- Working with the infrared (IrDA) port
- Serial communications and GPS devices
- The Remote API (RAPI)
- The Telephone API (TAPI)
- Remote Access Services (RAS)
- Memory management techniques and tips for Windows CE
- System information and power management APIs
- COM and ActiveX on Windows CE (including using MFC for automation)
- The Pocket Office Object Model (POOM)
- Microsoft Message Queue (MSQ) and queuing
- ADOCE and SQL Server for Windows CE
- ActiveSync for installation and synchronization for Windows CE devices
Synopsis
With Windows CE 3.0, CE finally comes of age as a development platform -- and as a development opportunity. Now's the time to master CE development -- but many CE programming books focus almost entirely on building attractive user interfaces, and leave you hanging when it comes to the rest. Not this one! Windows CE: Application Programming offers comprehensive, code-rich coverage of CE networking, communications, database access, desktop interoperability, COM/ActiveX, mail store and messaging, power management -- everything you need to know to build world-class Windows CE apps! Nick Grattan and Marshall Brain deliver extensive code examples throughout -- as well as great tips for leveraging your existing Visual C++ expertise. Master CE file access and directories; processes and threads; and using ActiveSync to synchronizing PDAs and desktops. Build networked CE applications; learn expert techniques for managing limited memory; access databases; build components with COM and ActiveX; and more -- including today's most effective CE user interface development solutions.
