PPC standalone development - newbie

I am creating a new thread from the "pocket pc database" thread, below are my questions.

"hello guys, kinda new here.

I am having trouble understanding all the PPC development. I am currently assigned to build a chinese calculator with some special formulas and tables. Its a pure standalone software. So basically the data's in the tables a static. how do i get around to place the tables into the WM5 and how is the tables being access by my program? do i need to install some software on the WM5?

Thanks"


Master Shaggy replied
"Welcome to the forums. In general, this would be better posted as a new thread, since it is a new subject. You will probably get more eyeballs that way, and the more people who see the question, the more answers you get.

However, this particular part of the forums is not so heavily traveled, so that advice is probably not quite as valuable.

That looks like an excellent program for PPC. You say that the tables are static, which gives you a few options. Do you have a plan for where to keep these tables? I can think of three options:

1) Database in SQL Server CE: This isn't as daunting as it may sound, but it is likely to be overkill. It has the advantage of being able to organize large amounts of data, and retrieve individual items quickly. However, it is most valuable if you will be saving alot of data, and it sounds like you'll save none.

2) Text file: Simpler than a database, and easier to edit outside of the program. This ease of editing is one of the major weaknesses, since others could corrupt your data. Searching and retrieving is not as quick, but you can get around that. In general, I don't like this option unless I have some specific reason for needing it.

3) Arrays: If the data is all static, write the arrays into code. This is the fastest possible solution, though it takes more memory. In your case, it doesn't sound like the extra memory is really an issue. For static data, this is probably the best bet. Either of the other two mean that you would have to move the external data files along with the progam when you install the program on another system.

So that's a start, what are your views on it?"

well..i did manage to code the program in PHP form, now i need to slowly port it to a PPC format. base on the option give, i would prefer to use option 1 "SQL server CE" since the previous version was PHP and MYSQL. ..so whats the first thing i need to do?..