Programming Microsoft Windows CE (Microsoft Programming) [Paperback]

Douglas Boling (Author)

Book Description

Series: Microsoft Programming | Publication Date: October 1, 1998

"Programming Windows CE" guides Windows programmers through the unique problems and the new opportunities provided by Windows CE. The book covers all the new Win32 APIs supported by Windows CE as well as workarounds for Win32 APIs not supported. The book also covers programming techniques necessary when programming for memory-constrained environments. While MFC for Windows CE is discussed, the primary focus of the book is programming directly to the Windows CE API since that is what most programmers need to do to meet the size and speed requirements necessary for well-designed Windows CE programs. The Windows CE Software Development Kit and sample code are included on the CD.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With the growing popularity of the Windows CE platform, writing small, efficient applications is once again crucial. Doug Boling's Programming Microsoft Windows CE shows experienced Windows C programmers how to write lean-and-mean software for today's hand-held PCs.

After a quick introduction, this text moves to a basic Windows CE program written in C. Throughout the book, the author provides detailed technical knowledge of both the Window CE platform and C API. He covers basic graphics programming, including bitmaps, fonts, and basic Graphical Device Interface (GDI) functions, and then moves the tour of Windows CE to input, whether through a keyboard, stylus, or mouse. Sections on control and dialog-box programming show what's different about the more restricted Windows CE platform compared to ordinary Win32 programming.

The second half of the book presents some excellent information on issues specific to the Windows CE platform, including memory management, its new file system, and new database APIs. A thorough tour of Windows CE communications (whether over the Internet via sockets or infrared ports) will benefit every potential developer. So will the material on the Registry, installing Windows CE applications from desktops, and coordinating work between multiple threads and processes.

The book finishes with some strategies for cooperating with the Windows CE shell so that your programs are better integrated. --Richard Dragan

Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572318562
• ISBN-13: 978-1572318564
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,856,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Petzold is a better buy, May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Programming Microsoft Windows CE (Microsoft Programming) (Paperback)

Most of this book follows the model of Charles Petzold's "Programming Windows" series. Most of the emphasis on specific Windows CE topics is on areas of control and UI programming that more experienced Windows programmers will find fairly straightforward. I was disappointed in the books complete lack of Windows CE ActiveSync coverage, arguably one of the toughest aspects of Windows CE programming.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is (so far) THE book on programming WindowsCE, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Programming Microsoft Windows CE (Microsoft Programming) (Paperback)

Of all the books I looked at for Windows CE programming, this was by far the best. If you've read Petzold's Programming Windows, you'll feel right at home. Has the same style of writing & examples. Easy to pick up for even the novice C/C++ programmer.

All code is written in C. Doesn't use the Windows CE SDK, MFC, or ATL.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very approachable writing style, August 20, 2001

By 

Derek Dysart (Brookfield, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming Microsoft Windows CE, Second Edition (Pro-Developer) (Paperback)

I have not seen the first edition of this book, which the author notes in this second edition, does not cover Pocket PC or other Windows CE 3.0 platforms.

The second edition of this book is written in a highly approachable manner that doesn't make sweeping assumption of the readers programming experience level. This style may turn off those who are a bit more experienced, but if you can handle the "hand holding", you will get some great information on programming for the Windows CE platform, including Pocket PC. If you have a cursory knowledge of C/C++, you'll follow this book perfectly.

Doug does a great job of not only explaining what XYZ API call is used for, but what all the parameters mean and the options available. He takes great strides to de-mystify daunting API calls that have several paramters by walking through each of them in real examples.

If you're looking to start programming for this platform, this book is definately worth checking out.