[2008] vb.net 2008 on hand held comp.

[kuldevbhasin]

hi guys.
i am using vb.net 2008 and would like to know that what changes i would have to make if i want to use it on a hand held computer ? i am not a big expert in vb but have learnt a lot from this forum.

pls. guide me
thankx a lot..

[Shaggy Hiker]

You will be using the .NET Compact Framework (CF) to write for mobile devices. The CF has most, but not all, of the features you find in the full .NET version, which can present a few challenges for you. The major issue, though, is the small screen. You will have pretty nearly all the tools you are used to, and most of the controls, but you have to rethink all interfaces based on the size of the screen and the input options. If you are writing for a touch screen device, then you would want to use buttons, that are as large as possible, and minimize the requirement to enter text directly. You probably ought to consider using many panels on a form, and swapping panels into and out of the view area rather than switching forms. The reason for this is that switching forms takes much longer on a mobile device, which makes for a painful interface. Swapping panels into the view area takes almost no time.

Those are the biggest issues.

[jmcilhinney]

Shaggy Hiker didn't mention this explicitly and I'm not sure whether you're aware or not but you must create a specific type of project to begin with to create an application for a mobile device. You can't just edit an existing Windows Forms project, or certainly not simply anyway. As far as I'm aware, VB Express doesn't support mobile development so you'll need to be using a full version of VS.

[Kasracer]

When you say "hand held comp" are you referring to a PDA / Windows Mobile device (which is what Shaggy Hiker and jmcilhinney were referring to) or a Netbook which is a small, mini laptop that can run Windows?

If you meant a Windows Mobile device then they're correct, you have to use a special Windows Mobile project. While jmcilhinney states you need the full version of VS to develop mobile applications (which is true if you want to use the IDE), you can do it without it and compile via the command line but it's a real PITA.

If you were referring to a netbook then just treat it like any other computer; you don't need to do anything else.

[kuldevbhasin]

thankx for ur help. i dont know how to explain hand held comp. its the device that mand a salesman have spl. on gas station where they fill ur car and give u instant bill on the spot i dont think its a pda coz its a bit bigger than a pda. i will try and get a pic of the device and upload it for explanation. sorry for not being clear..
i am using vb.net 2008 prof. edition
thankx a lot for ur help.

[jmcilhinney]

thankx for ur help. i dont know how to explain hand held comp. its the device that mand a salesman have spl. on gas station where they fill ur car and give u instant bill on the spot i dont think its a pda coz its a bit bigger than a pda. i will try and get a pic of the device and upload it for explanation. sorry for not being clear..
i am using vb.net 2008 prof. edition
thankx a lot for ur help.

All you need to determine is what operating system it's running. Is it XP or Vista? If so then you just create a standard Windows Forms app. Is it Windows Mobile? If so then you need to create a Smart Device app. The actual hardware is irrelevant. Only the OS matters because that what determines what version of the Framework gets installed.

[Shaggy Hiker]

You might also see Windows CE, which falls into the Windows Mobile category, but has a few other characteristics.

[Kasracer]

You might also see Windows CE, which falls into the Windows Mobile category, but has a few other characteristics.

To expand on this, Windows Mobile is currently based on Windows CE (Windows CE 6 is the latest version but Windows Mobile 6.1 is based on Windows CE 5; confusing, heh?).

As far as I know you can't do Windows CE development in Visual Studio but you can develop for Windows Mobile.

[jmcilhinney]

As far as I know you can't do Windows CE development in Visual Studio but you can develop for Windows Mobile.

Haven't checked VS 2005 but in VS 2008 creating a Smart Device project lets you target Pocket PC 2003, Windows CE, Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC SDK and Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone SDK.

[Kasracer]

Haven't checked VS 2005 but in VS 2008 creating a Smart Device project lets you target Pocket PC 2003, Windows CE, Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC SDK and Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone SDK.

Hmm... maybe I'm thinking of unmanaged applications? Not sure but that at least clears it up a little for me. Thanks.

[Half]

I was able to target Win CE 4.21 with vb 2003. It was a pda witn an integrated barcode scanner and none of that 'Mobile / Pocket' skins. The plain CE is much better, faster and looks like the real Windows with a desktop, start button, windows explorer etc.

[kuldevbhasin]

thankx for being a great help. i am going to visit the devloper of the system in a couple of days. now i would b in a better position to ask him what all would b needed. i didnt even know what to ask. it was like i would have to fly a space craft when i dont know to drive a car. lol...thankx a lot u guys for being such a great help. as soon as i get the details i would get back to trouble u more....thankx a lot