PToN
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX
| Programing for Pocket PC 2003 - .NET CF
Hello,
I ve done some programing before and there is a project that i might need to develop an application that takes input from a laser.. You know one of those portable bar code scanners..
I ve done C++, C# .NET2.0, and Java. I do not know everything about all of them, but i am able to do what i need it on a efficient way.
So back to the point; i know that there is .NET Compact Framework and i was thinking on developing the application for that framework.
I know nothing about about developing for .NET CF or for Pocket PC 2003 and i was hoping some of you might have some links...?
I guess that i could start developing my app on C#, but instead of loading the full .NET i would use the CF, right..?
Thanks |
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drew
World's Best Boss
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
 ·wavebroadband
edit:
May 6th, @11:25AM
| which version of Visual Studio are you using? I believe you can code for PPC2003 with .NET 2003 and above.
I would recommend AGAINST designing only for PPC2003 as it's several years old.
Download the SDK from »www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta···ylang=en
It's really not that much different.
Oh, and most retail bar code scanners that are built in or added on using CF/SD have drivers that make them act as a Key wedge (like a keyboard) so you might not need to do the hard stuff like take it from the laser.. just utilize the data the laser gives you. |
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drew
World's Best Boss
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| Something to add: enjoy the emulator for debugging and testing how things work. Nothing like having it deploy the CF every time you deploy the app.
But seriously, I enjoy doing a bit of dabbling in .NET CF since things are "simpler." Just don't try to do FTP in .NET for WM5 SmartPhones. They did not build in System.Net.FTP or whatever into CF 2.0 for Smartphones  |
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PToN
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX
edit:
May 6th, @11:40AM
| I am using VS 2005
Would i be able to access networks shares and write files to it....?
I need to be able to write a file to a network path, that file will be formatted in way that the BarTender server will recognize so that it can be printed... |
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drew
World's Best Boss
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband
| I know that you can use a PPC2003's File Explorer to access network shares, so I would extend that capability to something you can program using .NET.
Interesting discussion, considering the company I work for does POS applications but we use Delphi for everything. Our customers are screaming for a Windows Mobile device they can use for mobile waitstaff. |
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PToN
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX | I am not going to write it for PPC2003. I think i ll just stick with .NET CF
Thanks..! |
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drew
World's Best Boss
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs: | If you have a specific device or devices in mind, tell VS.NET that you're going to be writing for THAT "OS" so to speak.
If you're writing for say, Dell Axim v51s, tell VS.NET you're making a WM5 Pocket PC app |
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PToN
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX
| WOW..
This is looking a lot easier than what i was expecting... The development kits make it so easy to get inputs from the laser tha i can do it with my eyes closed..
I guess i ll wait till i get further into the application to see how hard it gets, but so far it feels like developing a regular windows app..
Thanks for the tips drew... |
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drew
World's Best Boss
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs: | absolutely. developing for PPC was meant to be as easy as developing for windows... MS has made it very easy.
Good luck and please keep us posted. |
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PToN
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX
| reply to PToN
Ok,
My app needs to connect to a DB to pull information, then with the information from the DB and the data scanned it will write a file to a network share where a different application will pick it up format it and print a label for it.
I know that the scanners dont have much CPU and RAM so would it be wise or possible for a Store Procedure to do all the data validation and write the file to the network share..?
This way the scanner just takes the values, passes them to the store procedure so they can be processed, if successful it returns true to the scanner, if fail returns false and the reason why...
Would a store procedure be able to do all that...?
Thanks |
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drew
World's Best Boss
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs: | Unfortunately, you're past my level of expertise.
Never done DBs on CF. |
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fcisler
Premium
join:2004-06-14
Riverhead, NY
| reply to PToN
Well what database?
Yes, a stored procedure in Oracle (9i+) or SQL Server (2000+) would accept input and, depending upon how the procedure was setup, validate or invalidate the data. I cannot vouch for any other DB or previous version, as I have only ever used it in these.
I think your going about it the wrong way. Have the scanner write the info to the DB. Using a stored procedure is a very good way to do this. If any changes need to be made (IE: You use 8 char. barcodes, run out of those and need 9 - you now only modify the stored procedure) you do it in the DB instead of code.
Have either a service or scheduled task run and "poll" the database and print out labels. Service creating/installation is very straightforward in VS2005.
If you do need a listfile for, say, 3rd party software to print labels - I would still have a standalone application export to a listfile. |
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PToN
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX
| Well,
I just released finished RC4 today and i am very happy with it...
For the labels we use Bar Tender and all we have to do is create a comma separated file and drop it in the location where it scans for files and it will print it as soon as it gets written. And thats what the print button on my app does.
The improvements i need to do are:
- Implement usage of store procedures
- Create one global BarCode Reader instead of creating and disposing new Reader objects for each Input field.
- Read Global variables like servername, printername, type of label, network path among others instead of being hard coded.
- Others...
So far only about 600 lines of actual written code (not generated) which makes me realize how much work .NET saves...
Thanks for the help... |
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fcisler
Premium
join:2004-06-14
Riverhead, NY
| Well here, I'll save you some work:
»www.codeproject.com/KB/vb/MySett···ple.aspx
2005 implements my. settings collection. All variables are stored in AppName.exe.config. You refer to them with My.Settings.DBConnStr.
Very easy.
Without seeing a DB layout or existing SQL, it's hard to point you in the right direction for stored procedures and/or highly structured classes for DB connection/commands. You seem like your on the right track, though. |
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Link Logger
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-29
Calgary, AB
·Shaw
| reply to PToN
Database stuff in the compact framework is really great, for example you can use the compact version of SQL Server (free by the way) and then use merge replication to sync it up with the Server version of SQL Server. The new Sync Framework will work with Windows Mobile 6 and will allow you to sync up with any ADO supported database, so those two options will allow your handheld device to operate in a disconnected mode and connect up and sync latter.
Glad to hear your .Net experience has gone so well.
Blake
--
Vendor: Author of Link Logger which is a traffic analysis and firewall logging tool |
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Tom
Premium
join:2000-09-10
Wheaton, IL
| reply to PToN
Just an idea to float for the future, in case you need to do design for PPC2003: Motorola (formerly Symbol) has their PocketBrowser software that essentially takes the IE core and wraps the barcode scanning functionality around it. Very handy for apps that you have already developed as web-based, or if you need something very simple that isn't worth the time to code on another platform.
--
"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." - George Bernard Shaw |
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drew
World's Best Boss
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs: | regarding that pocketbrowser, does it ONLY work with Motorola/Symbol devices? |
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