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Description
It is no secret that Microsoft wishes its software to become as ubiquitous
on the new generation of smart devices such as PDAs and cell phones as Windows
and Office are on desktop computers. The key to this strategy is the .NET
Compact Framework (CF), a subset of the .NET Framework designed to run on smart
devices. .NET Compact Framework Programming with Visual Basic .NET is the only
complete, authoritative guide to the CF for Visual Basic .NET programmers. It
explores the differences between the standard framework and the CF, shows how
to use the Win32 API, and explains specialized tools for particular machines
and functions. The authors wrote the first book on Windows programming back in
1986, and have continued on the cutting edge of Microsoft technology ever
since. They are the CF columnists for MSDN Magazine, and are commonly
acknowledged to be the best authors writing on the CF today. They are also
doing a version of this book for C# developers. Yao and Durant have done for
the CF what Fritz Onion has done for ASP.NET and Chris Sells for Windows Forms:
produced an immensely practical, well-written, definitive, second-generation
book on a key .NET technology.
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Back Cover
“For nearly two decades, Paul Yao and David Durant have been acknowledged
as experts on the Windows platform, so it’s only natural that they would
bring their experienced point of view to the .NET Compact Framework. With a
unique combination of historical perspective and in-depth understanding of the
subject matter, Yao and Durant take the reader through not only the technical
guts of the Compact Framework but also the reasons behind the design
decisions.”
—Joshua Trupin, Executive Editor, MSDN Magazine “Yao and
Durant have written a book that, although it assumes no prior experience with
the .NET Framework, serves both the rookie and advanced programmer equally
well. This is definitely a rare quality among technical books and is certainly
not an easy thing for an author to accomplish.”
—Doug Holland, Precision Objects “This is a very good
hands-on book with plenty of sample code illustrating programming tasks and
techniques, which any serious development effort for Windows CE or Pocket PC
will require.”
—Bill Draper, Director of Software Development“This book
serves as both a great reference and tutorial when building .NET Compact
Framework applications. My only wish is that it had been available
sooner.”
—Greg Hack, Senior Software Engineer, Allscripts Healthcare
Solutions“Of the handful of books on Compact Framework, this book
takes the cake. Paul Yao and David Durant’s expertise with .NET Compact
Framework is evident from their excellent and very insightful coverage of
sections such as Building the User Interface, Managing Device Data, and
Creating Graphical Output. The chapter discussing the topic of P/Invoke is
unparalleled. After reviewing this book, I am certain that if there is one book
that will help you understand .NET Compact Framework, this is the
one.”
—Deepak Sharma, Senior Systems Specialist, Tata Infotech
Ltd.“Yao and Durant’s fresh, innovative, and in-depth look at
the .NET Compact Framework gets developers up to speed using C# to develop
robust and scaleable handheld software solutions. A definite must-read for
mobile handheld developer enthusiasts!”
—Andrew Krowczyk, Software Architect, Zurich North America
.NET Compact Framework Programming with Visual Basic .NET is the
definitive tutorial and reference for the .NET Compact Framework (CF). It shows
you how to transfer your skills and your code to the Pocket PC 2003 and other
mobile and embedded smart devices.
Authors Paul Yao and David Durant draw upon their years of research and
experience with members of the Microsoft .NET CF team to show you exactly how
the best CF programming gets done in Visual Basic .NET. This is the only book a
programmer needs to master the art of CF coding. Throughout the book, sample
code and examples illustrate best practices and programming techniques. In
addition, the companion Web site includes downloadable code for all these
examples, along with a set of development tools to help you with your CF
development projects.
The authors expertly zero in on what programmers need to understand for
successful smart device programming, including:
- Garbage Collection in the .NET Compact Framework
- Controls and supported Properties, Methods, and Events (PMEs)
- Custom controls with Windows Forms Designer support
- Using Platform Invoke (P/Invoke)
- Simple and complex data binding and the DataGrid control
- Programming with ADO.NET data classes
- Synchronizing SQL Server CE with SQL Server 2000 databases
- Creating graphical output, including font and printing coding tricks
- Differences between the standard desktop framework and the CF
.NET Compact Framework Programming with Visual Basic .NET is your
single resource for everything you really need to know about CF
programming.
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Contents
Foreword.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
About the Authors.
I: Foundations.
1. .NET Compact Framework Architecture.
Windows CE Overview.What Is .NET?The .NET Compact Framework.Conclusion.2. What
Is a .NET Compact Framework Program?
The Essence of a .NET Compact Framework Program.Using Visual Studio .NET
2003.The Cistern Sample Program.Adding Classes.Conclusion.3. The .NET Type
System.
Using Type Information: Namespace References and Assembly References.Standard
Types.Strings.Type Conversion.Memory Management.Conclusion.4. Platform
Invoke.
Overview of P/Invoke.Creating P/Invoke Declarations.Supported P/Invoke Function
Parameters.A Sample Program: CallWin32.Writing Win32 Dynamic Link
Libraries.Manual P/Invoke Parameter Passing.Communicating between Unmanaged and
Managed Code.Comparing P/Invoke Support.Conclusion.
II: Building the User Interface.
5. Creating Forms.
What Are Forms?Manipulating Forms.Inheritance and Visual
Inheritance.Conclusion.6. Mouse and Keyboard Input.
Overview of Input.Programming for Mouse Input.Programming for Keyboard
Input.Conclusion.7. Inside Controls.
What Are Controls?Categories of Controls.Properties, Methods, and Events.The
Core Events.The Core Properties.The Core Methods.Working with Control Type
Information.Five Commonly Used Controls.A Sample Program: TimeTracker.The Label
Control.The TextBox Control.The ListBox and ComboBox Controls.The Button
Control.The RadioButton and CheckBox Controls.Conclusion.8. Data Binding to
Controls.
Data Binding.Complex Data Binding.Simple Data Binding.The DataGrid
Control.Conclusion.9. Inside More Controls.
Detecting Support for Properties, Methods, and Events.Menus.Grabbing Events.The
ToolBar and ImageList Controls.Dialog Boxes.Conclusion.10. Building Custom
Controls.
Custom Controls.Controls as Objects.Deriving Custom Controls from an Existing
.NET Control.Creating Composite Controls.Creating New Controls.Adding Animation
to a Custom Control.Authoring Custom Controls for the Multithreaded
Environment.Adding a Custom Control to the Visual Studio .NET
Toolbox.Conclusion.
III: Managing Device Data.
11. Storage.
Smart-Device Data Storage.File I/O.Registry Access.Conclusion.12. ADO.NET
Programming.
Examining ADO.NET.Working with Data Sets.Microsoft SQL Server CE.Microsoft SQL
Server.Web Services.Conclusion.13. Synchronizing Mobile Data.
Understanding Remote Data Applications.Installing Remote Data
Connectivity.Using RDA.Using Merge Replication.Choosing between Merge
Replication and RDA.Conclusion.14. The Remote API.
What Is ActiveSync?.RAPI Fundamentals.Accessing the Object Store.Detecting
Changes in Device Connection State.Loading Programs and DLLs.Conclusion.
IV: Creating Graphical Output.
15. .NET Compact Framework Graphics.
An Introduction to .NET Compact Framework Graphics.Drawing on the Display
Screen.Raster Graphics.Vector Graphics.Conclusion.16. Text and Fonts.
Drawing Text.Font Selection.Placing Text.Text Color.Conclusion.17.
Printing.
The Printing Pipeline.Programming for Printed Output.Direct Printing.Rendering
with GDI.HP Mobile Printing.Rendering with PrinterCE.Conclusion.
V: Appendixes.
Appendix A: Hungarian Notation for .NET Programs.
Goals and Objectives.Guidelines..NET Naming Guidelines.Hungarian
Notation.Appendix B: Supported PMEs for .NET Compact Framework Controls.
Appendix C: Data Synchronization Wizards.
The Virtual Directory Creation Wizard.The Create Publication Wizard.Appendix D:
Windows API Allocation and Cleanup Functions.
Glossary.
Index.
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Features
The one book all Visual Basic .NET developers will need on the .NET Compact
Framework
° Paul Yao is acclaimed as the best writer on the .NET Compact Framework
(CF)
° Practical, code-rich tutorial for experienced programmers wishing to
transfer their skills to smart devices
° Covers topics not found in other books, such as controls, data handling,
graphics, and ActiveSync
° Microsoft is pushing the Compact Framework very heavily
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Author
Paul Yao is president of The Paul Yao Company, which provides educational
and consulting services to software engineers on software technologies based on
Microsoft Windows. He has authored/coauthored seven books on Windows
programming, including with David Durant the first book published on the
subject, Programmer’s Guide to Windows (Sybex, 1987). Paul is a
contributing editor to MSDN Magazine, writing regularly on topics of
interest to Windows CE and Pocket PC developers.
David Durant is principal of Durant Associates and lead author of the
groundbreaking book Programmer’s Guide to Windows (Sybex, 1987),
the first book published on the subject. David was an early proponent of .NET,
is a frequent contributor to industry journals and forums, and leads seminars
on .NET-based technologies for corporate clients worldwide.
This work explores the differences between the standard framework and the CF, shows how to use the Win32 API and explains specialized tools for particular machines and functions. It is a code-rich tutorial for experienced students wishing to transfer their skills to smart devices. Topics include controls, data handling, graphics and ActiveSync.
"For nearly two decades, Paul Yao and David Durant have been acknowledged as experts on the Windows platform, so it's only natural that they would bring their experienced point of view to the .NET Compact Framework. With a unique combination of historical perspective and in-depth understanding of the subject matter, Yao and Durant take the reader through not only the technical guts of the Compact Framework but also the reasons behind the design decisions." - Joshua Trupin, Executive Editor, MSDN Magazine "Yao and Durant have written a book that, although it assumes no prior experience with the .NET Framework, serves both the rookie and advanced programmer equally well. This is definitely a rare quality among technical books and is certainly not an easy thing for an author to accomplish." - Doug Holland, Precision Objects "This is a very good hands-on book with plenty of sample code illustrating programming tasks and techniques, which any serious development effort for Windows CE or Pocket PC will require." - Bill Draper, Director of Software Development "This book serves as both a great reference and tutorial when building .NET Compact Framework applications.;My only wish is that it had been available sooner." - Greg Hack, Senior Software Engineer, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions "Of the handful of books on Compact Framework, this book takes the cake. Paul Yao and David Durant's expertise with .NET Compact Framework is evident from their excellent and very insightful coverage of sections such as Building the User Interface, Managing Device Data, and Creating Graphical Output. The chapter discussing the topic of P/Invoke is unparalleled. After reviewing this book, I am certain that if there is one book that will help you understand .NET Compact Framework, this is the one." - Deepak Sharma, Senior Systems Specialist, Tata Infotech Ltd. "Yao and Durant's fresh, innovative, and in-depth look at the .NET Compact Framework gets developers up to speed using C# to develop robust and scaleable handheld software solutions. A definite must-read for mobile handheld developer enthusiasts!" - Andrew Krowczyk, Software Architect, Zurich North America .NET Compact Framework Programming with Visual Basic .NET is the definitive tutorial and reference for the .NET Compact Framework (CF).;It shows you how to transfer your skills and your code to the Pocket PC 2003 and other mobile and embedded smart devices. Authors Paul Yao and David Durant draw upon their years of research and experience with members of the Microsoft .NET CF team to show you exactly how the best CF programming gets done in Visual Basic .NET. This is the only book a programmer needs to master the art of CF coding. Throughout the book, sample code and examples illustrate best practices and programming techniques. In addition, the companion Web site includes downloadable code for all these examples, along with a set of development tools to help you with your CF development projects.The authors expertly zero in on what programmers need to understand for successful smart device programming, including:Garbage Collection in the .NET Compact FrameworkControls and supported Properties, Methods, and Events (PMEs) Custom controls with Windows Forms Designer support Using Platform Invoke (P/Invoke)Simple and complex data binding and the DataGrid controlProgramming with ADO.N;ET data classesSynchronizing SQL Server CE with SQL Server 2000 databasesCreating graphical output, including font and printing coding tricksDifferences between the standard desktop framework and the CF.NET Compact Framework Programming with Visual Basic .NET is your single resource for everything you really need to know about CF programming.
Preface. I: FOUNDATIONS. 1. .NET Compact Framework Architecture. 2. What is a Compact Framework Program? . 3. Fundamental .NET Data Types. 4. Platform Invoke. II: BUILDING THE USER-INTERFACE. 5. Creating Forms. 6. Mouse and Keyboard Input. 7. Inside Controls. 8. Data Binding and the DataGrid Control. 9. Inside More Controls. 10. Custom Controls. III: MANAGING DEVICE DATA. 11. Storage. 12. ADO.NET Programming. 13. Synchronizing Mobile Data. 14. The Remote API (RAPI). IV: CREATING GRAPHICAL OUTPUT. 15. Compact Framework Graphics. 16. Text and Fonts. 17. Printing. Appendix A: Hungarian Naming for .NET. Appendix B: Supported PMEs for Compact Framework Controls. Appendix C: Data Synchronization Wizards. Appendix D: Windows API Allocation and Cleanup Functions. Glossary. Index.
