Windows CE 3.0: Application Programming (Prentice Hall Series on Microsoft Technologies) (Paperback)

by Nick Grattan (Author), Marshall Brain (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
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

Product Description
Goes beyond the user interface to teach hardcore programming, full-scale enterprise computing, global communications from pocket PCs, and more. The CD-ROM contains all of the code examples from the text and a fully searchable index, plus a working copy of the eMbedded Visual C++ 3.0, and more. DLC: Application software--Development.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (October 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130255920
• ISBN-13: 978-0130255921
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #871,734 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars JUST API FOR CE, May 16, 2001

By	Souheil Charada (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Good book if you want to know about Win CE API Programming. Nothing about eVC++, eVB and UI which makes its content very poor. It should have been titled WIN CE API...

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Code does NOT work for Handheld PC 2000, February 10, 2001

By A Customer

I bought the book with the intention of trying out the example code on my Jornada 720 (running Handheld PC 2000 which is CE3.0).

Even though the book title explicitly calls out "CE 3.0", the example code (examples.vcw) does NOT even compile for Handheld PC 2000 (I have the HPC 2000 SDK Released Version Jan/23,2001 installed).

I emailed the Embedded VC++ compiler error messages to the authors and heard nothing back.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference but not for beginners, October 16, 2001

By	"fmbma" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This book is a great Windows CE reference. The material and examples are comprehensive, clear and concise. But do not use it as an introduction to eVC++ because there is virtually nothing on the user interface or the basics of MFC. If you are a C++ or VC++ programmer, and you want to become functional in a hurry with Windows CE 3.0, I strongly recommend it. Also, unlike a previous reviewer, I found the author to be very responsive to questions.