Embedded Programming with the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework [Paperback]

Donald Thompson (Author), Rob S. Miles (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735623651 | ISBN-13: 978-0735623651 | Publication Date: June 27, 2007 | Edition: 1

Get the information you need for programming applications in the rich, managed-code environment of the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework. You’ll learn how to extend your experience with the .NET Framework and Microsoft Visual C# through real-world examples, expert insights, and code samples—and efficiently build robust applications for the smallest devices.

Discover how to:

• Use an object-oriented approach for programming embedded devices
• Create input and output port objects
• Develop detailed text and graphical displays that support complex user interactions
• Add Windows SideShow functionality into your application
• Implement functionality from existing applications to embedded applications
• Bind physical hardware events to Windows Presentation Foundation elements
• Establish embedded-network connections using TCP/IP
• Use emulation techniques for rapid-prototyping, experimentation, testing, and debugging
• Optimize performance of resource-constrained devices

PLUS—Get code samples in Visual C# on the Web

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Key Book Benefits:

-Provides critical information about key topics--ranging from interface design to managed drivers

-Features insights from the product team

-Includes a companion Web site with tools to help simplify .NET Micro Framework development

About the Author

Donald Thompson, an architect for Microsoft Research, is responsible for overseeing the design and management of the software, protocols, and technology strategy that fuel the SPOT initiative. He built the centralized internet-ad serving system used by all MSN Web properties, including Hotmail®, MSNBC, Search, and MSN.com. Before he joined Microsoft Corporation, Donald developed an automated loan kiosk and decisioning system for Citibank, a cellular billing and management system for BellSouth, and artificial intelligence and 3-D graphics algorithms for commercial game companies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; 1 edition (June 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735623651
• ISBN-13: 978-0735623651
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Embedded Systems
  • #95 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > .NET

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars my review, September 10, 2011

By 

seulater - See all my reviews

This review is from: Embedded Programming with the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework (Paperback)

as i am starting out in Micro Framework, i picked up a few books dedicated to this endeavor. For my self this book did not hit the mark. Seems like the author was to in a rush to explain things and did not wind up understanding things. He shows examples, but for me the lower understanding why do this over that was missing for me. Seemed he was rushed to write it, went through concepts to quickly.
I would not pick this book up.

4 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The book is okay, the subject matter is questionable, September 9, 2008

By 

R. Balsover "bob_b0917" (SF, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Embedded Programming with the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework (Paperback)

The book seems well written, there are examples with commercial development boards in the examples that most any developer can follow. However, the whole Micro Framework is very disappointing as it there is no native code compiler.

If you are interested in this book then chances are that you are a MS developer. While I do have a MCSD certification I have been an embedded software engineer (usually with Linux or VxWorks) for over 10 years and most/all embedded development work is generally done in C/C++ or assembly language for a reason; size and speed. If you don't count something like a Cisco OC-192 router most embedded systems run with the minimum possible hardware. Every nickel that you need to add to compensate for lacking development tools hits the bottom line much more than it does in the PC world.

While I believe that the Windows CE environment would produce adequate runtime performance something like this Micro Framework which always runs as interpreted code is only suitable for a research tinker toy. IMHO I still believe that embedded projects are better done with C/C++/Linux but if you want to work with MS tools then focus on Windows CE. There are Windows CE books that cover the same ground and the end result would probably be more marketable than one based on the Micro Framework.