Database Info

Developing Applications for XDA II

Does anybody know with what IDE (Integrated Development Environment) it is possible to generate Applications?

eMbedded Visual C++ (based on Microsoft Visual Studio IDE)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/resources/downloads/developer/default.mspx

With Visual Studio.NET 2003 you can develop applications that use the .NET Compact Framework.

Further to the last response - these Compact Framework applications can be written in VB.Net (which is very similar to VB, though more verbose) *or* C# - there's no difference in the speed they run, which (for PC applications at least) is a hell of a lot faster than VB6 code.
The VS2k3 environment even contains a device emulator, or can run code *on the device* and allow you to set breakpoints & go to the line an error occurred on. There's also a Windows Mobile 2003 SDK available from Microsoft which adds a Windows Mobile 2003 emulator.

Creating a WM Application - Where to start ?

I hope this is the right place to put this, if not, mods, feel free to remove and/or delete it. I've dabbled a bit with C before, but that's about the extent of my programming experience. I'd like to create a program that will parse the information from a website and display it... I don't imagine something like that would be hard to do, but I have no idea what tools I would even need to start writing a PPC application.
Kitco (a website that gives live quotes of precious metals) recently came out with an application for the iphone that neatly formats all this information:
http://www.kitco.com/images/banners/KitcoiPhone/iphone.html
I'd like to basically create a PPC version of this application.
Is this something that an individual with next to no experience could hope to achieve ? I'd have to create a GUI, initialize the internet, connect and retrieve a webpage and remove the relevent information before displaying it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've always wanted to become more familiar with these sorts of things and figured this project would be a great way of learning it.
Thanks!

ThreadMoved

Next to no experience? I dont think so. You have to have a little under your belt first and the only way to achieve that is to start readin right here!

I'm also interested in the expert answers to this question.
My very non-expert understanding is as follows:
VS 2005 (microsoft visual studio) can create executables for WM devices using a SDK (low level) or .Net CF (medium level) interface. You want to use .Net CF (compact framework) because it is supposed to make things easier. I think you have to use C++ to use the SDK but you can use C++, C#, or Visual Basic and write to .NET CF.
VS 2005 is an IDE (integrated development environment). It contains features to edit, compile, and even test your program using simulator/debugger. I think there are some non-microsoft IDE's that can also generate Windows Mobile code -- there is a market for cross-platform environments (e.g. programmers write code using a special library instead of the windows SDK or .NET function and the same source code can be compiled to run on Blackberry, iPhone, S60, Windows Mobile, etc...)
Instead of writing to the phone hardware (or .NET abstraction) directly, you can write your application using Java. You would use some Java compatible IDE (like Eclipse, Jbuilder, or NetBeans) to create Java applets that you download to your phone. You'd have to install a Java VM (virtual machine) on your phone to run these applets. I think the downloadable games for phones are Java applets.
Disclaimer: I haven't worn my "programming cap" since 2001 and hopefully things have gotten simpler. In my previous life I designed operating systems for mainframe computers.

c# to mysql with new toy

Hi All,
I recently got a new toy, in the form of a pocket PC (mda varrio 3), and want to learn how to program for it in c# using Visual Studio 2008. I have experience of C, Pascal, PHP etc and have a few questions for you all:
1) I have websites with a mysql database and was wondering if c# was good for accessing the data on these websites within an application (not web browser) on my phone?
2) I’m struggling to find basic step by step tutorials that will help me write such an application. Could someone please point me in the correct direction?
3) Are there good websites with lots of c# sample program applications that I can see the code? I have looked on the Microsoft site, but the c# samples seem to be lacking.
Sorry if these questions have been asked before, I had a quick look and couldn’t find what I was looking for ….
Thanks in advance,
Reggie.

Hi,
Connecting from the Phone Directly to MySQL is a bad idea, ideally you should create some sort of webservice or remoting middle tier(afaik .net 3.5 CF supports this). The reason I say this is that the connection string will have to be embedded in the device and anyone with a bit of know how will reverse engineer it and be able to access you MySQL Server.
That said, connecting to MySQL in C# is easy: have a look here for some .net articles : http://dev.mysql.com/usingmysql/dotnet/ (just port the VB to C#).
Thanks
Dave

reggie4 said:
Hi All,
I recently got a new toy, in the form of a pocket PC (mda varrio 3), and want to learn how to program for it in c# using Visual Studio 2008. I have experience of C, Pascal, PHP etc and have a few questions for you all:
1) I have websites with a mysql database and was wondering if c# was good for accessing the data on these websites within an application (not web browser) on my phone?
2) I’m struggling to find basic step by step tutorials that will help me write such an application. Could someone please point me in the correct direction?
3) Are there good websites with lots of c# sample program applications that I can see the code? I have looked on the Microsoft site, but the c# samples seem to be lacking.
Sorry if these questions have been asked before, I had a quick look and couldn’t find what I was looking for ….
Thanks in advance,
Reggie.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install the Windows Mobile 5.0 or 6.0 SDK (it was an option when you installed Visual Studio, assuming you didn't install the "express" version), or you installed it afterwards, you'll have a directory in C:\Program Files (or your equivalent) for the SDK (for example, on my machine the 5.0 SDK is here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK R2
Under there you'll have everything you'll need to get started. Especially interesting should be the contents of the Samples folder (PocketPC is for devices with touch screens).
Good luck, and have fun!

any c# guide how to connect to mysql would work
.net works the same in 99% of cases on pc and ppc

Thanks Rudegar, I thought as much - but couldn’t find a simple step by step guide including Visual Studio 2008 with example code.
Thanks godefroi, I have had a look in here, but there aren't many c# samples and I can't find one c# to mysql sample.
Thanks DaveShaw, I didn’t explain myself well enough. I have a website with a mysql database on it (on web server) and I wanted to be able to update the site from the net (eg my laptop) and when I am out and about (from my phone). I wanted to write an application that runs on my phone that can read and write data to its own local database (or this web database depending on signal) and then synchronise the local and the web database when 3G signal becomes availabile.
I hope i have explained myself more clearly?

Question about developing for WM

Hi, I'm trying out developing for my O2 Flame and was wondering if I could use the GNU GCC Compiler for compiling my programs, as I do not have the money for Visual C++ or something like that. If the GCC Compiler can't, can anybody recommend me a free compiler, Thanks in advanced.

You can use the free version of Embedded Visual C++ 4.0, although it was originally designed for development for WM 2003. If you limit the main menu to two items then WM 5.0 onwards will display the program correctly with the buttons either side of the SIP. Any more, and it switches back to the WM2003 style command bar.
For C++ you can develop in the Win32, ATL or MFC models.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Don't forget to apply SP4 to it after install. (Same page, use the link at the bottom)
It also uses an earlier WM2003 emulator that runs a half way x86/Arm code setup. It works, but the standalone emulator manager with the relevant WinMo SDK does a better job. You will only be able to fully debug the code created in by EVC 4, in its own WM2003 emulator or on a real device, not in the standalone emulator. The standalone emulator images will run your code so you can test it, but you cannot set breakpoints, examine variables. etc.
If you want to develop stuff for GPS, then you may have to add the relevent headers and lib files from later versions of the SDKs
The GNU compiler can be made to work, but I have never tried it.

Thanks for your help!

SDK for HTC HD2? and other quick questions on programming apps

Hi all,
I have just got my new HD2 and I'm keen to write a couple of apps for it. I have some limited experience with programming Processing, Java and wrote a little bit of C++ a few years ago. I have no experience at all with writing mobile apps so am after a few tips to get me up and going.
I understand its easiest to program through the .Net framework and I can bring up a template through visual basic 2008 for that. The apps I am keen to write will require access to the phones sensors, in particularly the g-sensor and accelerometer. Forums on the net tell me I need to download the SDK for the phone and use that to access all of the phones features. I have the following questions:
Where do I download the SDK for the HTC HD2? Some forums say you just use the standard HTC SDK, is this correct, are they talking about an android SDK and where can I get it from?
In using the SDK, do I simply import it as a package into my code and call up its functions? In which case is there documentation for it?
In case I get stuck, is there any good tutorials online anywhere for programming apps for windows phones?
Probably some very basic questions but they still tripped me up!
Thanks in advance, I look forward to sharing my apps with you.
Cheers all, Ollie1234

SDK Software Developer Kit & DRK Developer Resource Kit
Learning XML - Overview
The xml International Standard Organization (ISO) -=[ find xml apps here too ]=- :
http://www.w3.org/standards/xml/
XML is an almost universally supported way of exchanging documents and data across applications and platforms. Microsoft has a family of XML technologies that allows users with differing requirements to do what they need, as simply and efficiently as possible.
Which XML application programming interface (API) should you use? Here are our top-level guidelines:
If you are writing managed code targeting the .NET Framework in C#, Visual Basic, J#, managed C++, or any other managed language, you should use System.Xml and/or LINQ to XML in the .NET Framework.
If you are writing native code using Visual Basic 6, C, C++, or a scripting languages you will probably want to use the MSXML library:
MSXML6 is the latest version that's included with Windows XP SP3 and all versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. New applications should be using MSXML6.
MSXML5 is an older library optimized for Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007 and can only be used on machines that have an Office license.
MSXML4 is nearing deprecation. MSXML6 should be used for new applications
MSXML3 is included in Windows XP and higher.
Comprehensive list of all MSXML versions and variants
If you are writing native code and your application has tight performance or memory constraints, consider the XmlLite API.
What XML Tools Are Available? Visual Studio offers a core collection:
XML Editor
XML Schema Explorer
XSLT Debugger
XML Tools in Visual Studio overvi
Read more HERE; http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/data/bb291061.aspx
Core Downloads for Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile 6 SDKs: documentation, sample code, header and library files, emulator images, and tools for building Windows Mobile 6 applications in Visual Studio
Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 for Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit)
Microsoft ActiveSync for Windows XP or earlier versions
New Downloads
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update June 2010
Office 2010: Product Guides
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update May 2010
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 for Windows Desktop
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update April 2010
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update March 2010
Related Resources
Windows Embedded CE Development Tools
Windows XP Embedded SP2 Update
What is the .NET Micro Framework?
Windows Mobile Starter Kits
Windows Mobile 6 Developer Resource Kit Trial Software
Popular Downloads
Windows Mobile 6 SDK Refresh
Windows Mobile 6 Localized Emulator Images
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 for Windows Desktop
Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK for Pocket PC
Office 2010: Product Guides
Windows Mobile Developer Power Toys
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 and Synchronization Services for ADO.NET v1.0 SP1 for Windows Desktop
Library Topics
Installing Developer Tools for Windows Mobile
Welcome to Windows Mobile 6 Documentation
Windows Mobile 6 SDK Documentation
Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK Documentation
____Only if you want to code your applications to run on all WM6 devices without any problems you need the WM6 Standard SDK too!!!!
Development Resources for WM- here on xda-developers.com UPDATED
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=445396
Before you get stuck try to find online books about programming applications/games for windows phones. May be some other kind soul has a link for us?
Anyway have fun informing yourselves folks,
EDiT: Though this thread is created recently a few moments later;
I answered a question like this one in Windows Mobile Software Development which contains way more links than I collected here!!! Plus I plan to keep that thread up2date ie adding more links soon..!

ollie1234 said:
The apps I am keen to write will require access to the phones sensors, in particularly the g-sensor and accelerometer. Forums on the net tell me I need to download the SDK for the phone and use that to access all of the phones features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that the common WM SDK does not give access to the G-Sensor and other HTC specific stuff. Some probably hacked G-Sensor information is available. It is not entirely correct but it does work on the HD2.
http://www.scottandmichelle.net/scott/comments.html?entry=784
ollie1234 said:
In using the SDK, do I simply import it as a package into my code and call up its functions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WM SDK's are mostly a collection of header files, import libs and samples. You include the header files you need in you own code, then you can use the functions they declare, and link with the appropriate libs.

Nice work guys.. Thanks a lot for your assistance. I will post on how I get on!
Ollie.