Developing Mobile Applications with the NET Compac

Building Mobile Solutions with the .NET Compact FrameworkTim Landgrave, Crowe Chizek : Building Mobile Solutions with the .NET Compact Framework Tim Landgrave, Crowe Chizek


Investing in Device TechnologyEnabling users on the go : Investing in Device Technology Enabling users on the go Employees and customers need up-to-date information quickly when on the go Making critical business decisions Reporting and collecting critical business data Interacting with existing systems “Instant-On” access through connectivity or offline storage Access to information is not enough; intelligent acquisition and synchronization is key


Mobile Device Usage PatternsHow we use devices and applications : Mobile Device Usage Patterns How we use devices and applications Applications must be useful in under 5s; single Webpage download on device takes over 10s Application written to maximize the users experience with the particular form factor (input mechanisms, display capabilities) Applications integrated with core personal data and user preferences Sound, vibration are important aspects of user interface


Smart Clients on Devices Enabling users anywhere, anytime : Smart Clients on Devices Enabling users anywhere, anytime Allows for two-way flow of critical information Intelligently synchronize data for use offline Using limited bandwidth intelligently Devices available in many form factors to suit the user and the applications Smart Clients can intelligently manage: What data is downloaded How much data should be downloaded When it should be downloaded


Rich Client vs. Thin Client : Rich Client vs. Thin Client


Competitive Smart Device Technologies : Competitive Smart Device Technologies Device Specific Toolkits Generic Database Applications or Toolkits Device Development Environments Palm OS J2ME .NET Compact Framework


Core Microsoft Smart Device Technologies : Core Microsoft Smart Device Technologies Windows Mobile Devices Different form factors (Pocket PC and Smartphone) to suit different application types and usability patterns .NET Compact Framework RAD for devices Leverage existing .NET development skills to target devices


A Brief History of Windows Mobile Development : A Brief History of Windows Mobile Development Embedded Tools for Visual Studio VS 6 Tools for VB, C++ eMBedded Tools Standalone and free eVB eC++ .NET Compact Framework Visual Studio.NET Smart Device Extensions


.NET Compact Framework Development Platform : .NET Compact Framework Development Platform Visual Studio.NET 2003 Smart Device Projects .NET Compact Framework 1.1


Slide10 : © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This presentation is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. DEMO .NET CF Development in Visual Studio


Development Environment: Client : Development Environment: Client Windows-Powered Mobile Devices


Development Environment: Server : Development Environment: Server SQL Server Database IIS Server HTTP(S) Access SQL Server through IIS, using ActiveSync and Pocket PC Device Pocket PC 2003 SQL Server CE installed: Development tools Server tools


Development Environment: Tools : Development Environment: Tools ActiveSync 3.5 or later Onscreen Device Emulators SQL Server CE 2.0 (Developer Edition)


Introduction to the .NET Compact Framework : Introduction to the .NET Compact Framework What is the .NET CF? What can I do with the .NET CF? What can’t I do with the .NET CF?


What is the .NET CF? : What is the .NET CF? Essentially, the .NET CF is an “extended subset” of the .NET Framework “Subset”: Some non-essential classes are not included “Extended”: Functionality specific to the Windows Mobile platform High-level goal: Extend the .NET developer platform to the Windows Mobile device platform


What can I do with the .NET CF? : What can I do with the .NET CF? Simple answer – Much of what you would do with regards to .NET client development Possibilities Rich client applications Web services Extending enterprise applications to Windows Mobile devices


What can’t I do with the .NET CF? : What can’t I do with the .NET CF? Simple answer: “Not much” Limitations are mostly restricted to the classes not included in the .NET CF .NET Remoting Web server/ASP.NET Some of the limitations can be overcome by third-party tools


Slide18 : © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This presentation is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. DEMO .NET CF and the .NET Base Class Libraries


Developing the User Interface : Developing the User Interface Three device categories within the Windows Mobile platform: Windows Mobile for Pocket PC Windows Mobile for Pocket PC Phone Edition Windows Mobile for Smartphone Smartphone does not support stylus entry T9 input and key navigation Screen layouts for Smartphone need special care Be aware of the Tab Order


Developing the User Interface : Developing the User Interface Limited Screen “Real Estate” Pocket PC, Phone Edition VGA – 480 x 640 QVGA (Most Common) – 240 x 320 Smartphone (Smaller Screen) VGA – 480 x 640 QVGA (Most Common) – 240 x 320 UIs should be designed and tested for usability Remember the early days of GUI and web application development? Use the features of the .NET Framework! Standard controls optimized for mobile devices Create custom controls that you can re-use across projects


User Interfaces on the latest platform : User Interfaces on the latest platform Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Supports: Landscape and portrait orientations HiDPI resolution (VGA) Developers need to make sure their applications are orientation- and resolution-aware For more information: MSDN Mobile and Embedded Developer Center http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility ARTICLE: Developing Orientation and dpi Aware Applications for the .NET Compact Framework http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnwm2k3/html/dpi_awareness.asp


Slide22 : © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This presentation is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. DEMO UI Design Techniques


Data and Communication : Data and Communication Smart Device Applications need data Web Services Applications can communicate with SOA architectures with no modification to servers Datasets provide a great local caching mechanism for Web Services SQL Server CE Provides rich, robust, secure data source for smart devices Rich control over synchronization with back end SQL Server


Accessing Data from a Smart Device : Accessing Data from a Smart Device HTTPS IIS Server Access SQL Server through IIS, using SQL Server CE ISAPI filter Pocket PC 2003 SQL Server Database Other Internal Systems External Web Services


Slide25 : © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This presentation is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. DEMO Using Web Services and SQL Server CE


A look at the future : A look at the future .NET Compact Framework 2.0 A subset of the full .NET Framework 2.0 Ships as part of Visual Studio 2005 SQL Mobile More robust database engine Multi-connection, database designer, multi-platform Future Windows Mobile platform Managed interfaces for specific operating system features Distributed via a forthcoming SDK


.NET CF 2.0 : .NET CF 2.0 Compatible with full .NET Framework Interoperability, protocols Compatible with .NET CF 1.0 Side-by-side execution Application compatibility Enhanced performance Unified JIT Improved string handling XML improvements Improved ADO.NET with SQL Mobile


.NET CF 2.0 : .NET CF 2.0 Enhanced Smartphone Support Data access SQL Mobile DataGridView Textbox IME switching InputModeEditor Enable multiple menu items on left softkey


.NET CF 2.0Language Support : .NET CF 2.0 Language Support Enhanced VB.NET features "My" namespace support Enhanced C# features Iterators Anonymous methods Cross language features Generics Partial classes


Development ToolsVisual Studio 2005 : Development Tools Visual Studio 2005 Enhanced project wizard Target Pocket PC or Smartphone Enhanced designers Emulator support Based on ARM processor Save multiple states CAB and Setup projects Integrated device and emulator debugging Remote tools Process viewer, file viewer, heap walker, and more…


Development ToolsNative Language Support : Development Tools Native Language Support First-class native C++ support MFC 8.0 ATL 8.0 One IDE for developing both Managed and Native components of an application Debug mixed Native/Managed application at the same time


Smart Devices: Increasing Value to Business : Smart Devices: Increasing Value to Business Increasing Operational Efficiency Solving the “human last mile” problem in operations Product or Service Innovation Building smarter products Providing accurate information to customize services Improving the Value Chain Increase information supply chain efficiency Collecting or providing data in real time Pervasive Customer Intimacy Mobile devices are becoming the most frequently interfaced computing devices Providing customers up to date, convenient, personalised information Understanding customers habits and needs


Slide34 : © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This presentation is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.