Programming For The Palm?

[SteveCRM]

Can I program for the Palm OS using VB? There is a compiling program being made by Appforge I think, and they say that you compile the program and use their program to upload it to the palm. Do I have to use C++ or is it possible in VB?

[oetje]

Appforge can compile only visual basic programs. It isn't yet released. Check www.appforge.com When releasd, the price is $299. You can also become a beta tester. Then you can download the beta for free, and when released, you get a free copy of the program.

[mlewis]

I think the Windows CE toolkit by MS might work. Check http://www.microsoft.com for "Windows CE Toolkit"

[oetje]

Originally posted by mlewis
I think the Windows CE toolkit by MS might work. Check http://www.microsoft.com for "Windows CE Toolkit"

The Windows CE Toolkit only works for PDA's runnning Windows CE. The Palm runs Palm OS.

[SteveCRM]

But for now Codewarrior still looks like the leading compiler for palm programs

I hated codewarrior...

[Michael Kizer]

The AppForge product sounds pretty interesting... About the only thing that concerns me about it, is the size of the runtime model (roughly 300K). That's a pretty good chunk of Palm memory. The only payoff to that would be if you are running a ton of AppForge applications that will share the common runtime.

If you want to stick in the VB-like catagory, there is a dev environment called CASL (www.caslsoft.com) that offers a language that is fairly quick to pickup if you are familiar with basic. I think the runtime on that product is around 75K. You develop the apps on your desktop and sync them to your Palm (similar to AppForge)

If you want to develop on your Palm device, there are a few options. I use Pocket C (www.orbworks.com) which works really well and is not too difficult to learn, has some cool addins for building your GUI and has a runtime of about 70K.

To get really lean, mean and down to the metal programming onboard the Palm, check out Quartus Forth (www.quartus.net). If you can spend the time learning the esoteric language syntax (I couldn't allocate enough time to it to get the hang of it), you can create some really great apps for the Palm, small efficient code, with no runtime required. I really wish I had more time to play with this tool, it is very cool (and only about $70).

Yes l know the Palm OS doesn't support the MS OS, but this will change...or Palm will be history. Check onto IBMs web site and have a look at their new micro hard disk designed for palm tops. Way cool!

Most other Palm Tops, HP, Fujitsu, Errickson support Win CE as standard, with...(and this surprised me as well) Fujitsu being the biggest world wide supplier.

Still if ya want to stick with Palm OS and Code Warrier, (incidently developed for the Mac) go right ahead. Will pass your address onto an Apple supplier l know who is pushing this technology...yes they don't think the Newton is a dead product yet.

[SteveCRM]

Thanks Michael! I'll take a look at those links!

[Michael Kizer]

Originally posted by Jethro
Yes l know the Palm OS doesn't support the MS OS, but this will change...or Palm will be history.

I wouldn't count Palm out... they are leveraging themselves in pretty deep. Plenty of amnufacturers are licensing Palm OS for plenty of devices (mobile phones being a big one).

MS is not kicking as much butt in the market place, in regards to handhelds, as they have done in other areas. I forget the exact numbers of palmtops sold with Palm OS compared to WinCE, but it was significant. Now Sony has even licensed Palm's OS and their little Clio unit is pretty slick. It'll be interesting to see how much impact the big Sony consumer PR machine will have...

.....Palm is in there due to the number of tech heads, salespeople, yuppies who have picked it up as yet another personnel toy. This will change when the market gears up actual business apps for the palm top. The sort of app like a salesperson able to make a sale out in the field, and automatically logging it to the home server. Palm does not have ther versatility, (try dropping one of the frigging things in a stock yard), to handle heavy duty use. We have a couple around for client details, calender etc and as stated they are just another corporate toy. Compare that to the Erik (forgot spelling) Erikisson(?) model to get some idea.

[matt3105]

With Appforges Program You Program A NEW Program With Things LIKE Visual basic And The Visual basic Language, Check The Site, it Shows All The Options In The Prog In The Synopsis Area:
Button
CheckBox
Graphic Button
Grid
Label
List Box
Movie
Radio Button
Shape
Signature
Text Box
Timer
Tone
Thats All You Can Do

[SteveCRM]

Thats all? Well thats all you really need!

[matt3105]

I Guess Your Right But The Other guys Said Compiling From VB To The Palm EXE
It Cant Do It, AND I ment It to Show The Programs Dont Take Alot Of Memory Space

[yeen83]

Some questions to ask:

Will it able to do a scrollbar as well.If it can, do your know the codes.Thanks.

Originally posted by matt3105
With Appforges Program You Program A NEW Program With Things LIKE Visual basic And The Visual basic Language, Check The Site, it Shows All The Options In The Prog In The Synopsis Area:
Button
CheckBox
Graphic Button
Grid
Label
List Box
Movie
Radio Button
Shape
Signature
Text Box
Timer
Tone
Thats All You Can Do