Professional Visual Basic Windows® Ce Programming

Professional
Visual Basic
Windows® CE Programming

Larry Roof

Wrox Press Ltd.

Professional Visual Basic Windows CE Programming

© 1998 Wrox Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form or by any means—electronic, electrostatic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior writtenpermission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or
reviews.
The author and publisher have made every effort in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the
information. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or
implied. Neither the author, Wrox Press nor its dealers ordistributors will be held liable for any damages
caused or alleged to be caused either directly or indirectly by this book.

Published by Wrox Press Ltd. 30 Lincoln Road, Olton, Birmingham, B27 6PA
Printed in CANADA

1 2 3 4 5 TRI 99 98
ISBN 1-861001-62-2

Trademark Acknowledgements
Wrox has endeavored to provide trademark information about all the companies and products mentioned in
this book bythe appropriate use of capitals. However, Wrox cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Credits
Author
Larry Roof
Development Editor
Dominic Shakeshaft
Editors
Craig Berry
Darren Gill
Index
Diane Brenner

Technical Reviewers
Arnold Cota
Mike Crowe
Daniel M. Laby M.D
Thomas Lewis
Scott Mason
William Moore
Boyd Nolan
Tihan Seale
Richard V
eith
Cover/Design/LayoutAndrew Guillaume
Copy Edit
Alex Zoro
Barney Zoro

CONTENTS

Table of
Contents
Introduction

1

Part 1: Working With Visual Basic For Windows CE

7

Chapter 1: Getting Started

9

Setting Up Your System
Visual Basic for Windows CE Toolkit
Windows CE Platform SDK
Windows CE Services

Requirements of the VBCE Toolkit
The Hardware Requirements
The Software Requirements9
9
10
10

10
10
11

Getting Up and Running

11

The Installation Process

11

The Foundation – Windows NT
Add Visual Basic
Installing the Visual Basic for CE Toolkit
Part 1 – The Visual Basic for Windows CE Toolkit
Part 2 – The Windows CE Platform SDK
Part 3 – The Windows CE Services

12
12
12
13
14
14

What is Included with the VBCE Toolkit?

20

A New ProjectType
Modifications to the VB Menu Structure

21
21

The File Menu
The Project Menu
The Debug Menu
The Run Menu
The Tools Menu
The Windows CE Menu
Application Install Wizard
Books Online
Download Runtime Files
Control Manager
Heap Walker
Process Viewer
Registry Editor
Spy
Zoom

Changes to the VB Toolbar
A New Debug Dialog Window

22
22
22
22
22
22
23
23
23
23
2424
24
25
25

26
26

PROFESSIONAL

VB WINDOWS CE PROGRAMMING

The Differences Between VB and VBCE
VB and VBCE Use Different ActiveX Controls
There is a Single Data Type in VBCE
VBCE Uses a Different Method to Exit Your Applications
VBCE is Limited to a Single .BAS Module
The Absence of OLE in VBCE
There Are No MDI Forms or Class Modules in VBCE
You Cannot Unload Forms in VBCEThere are Differences Between Form and Code Modules
VBCE Has Limited Error Handling Capabilities
VBCE Language Errors are Handled at Runtime
There is No Support for API Calls in VBCE
You Cannot Access Help from Your VBCE applications
The Debug Object is Not Supported in VBCE
Absence of the Database Support
VBCE Uses different Methods of File I/O
VB Functions That Are Missing From VBCESummary

Chapter 2: Creating A Handheld Application

27
27
27
27
27
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
29
29
29

29

31

The CE Application Creation Process
Time Manager – A Step-By-Step Example

31
32

Step-By-Step Projects – The Recipe
Time Manager – The Completed Project

32
33

Using Time Manager

Time Manager – The Requirements
Time Manager – The Design
Time...