The Pocket PC era introduced developers to unique challenges and opportunities. This article examines the tools that made mobile development possible.
The Development Environment
eMbedded Visual Tools
Microsoft’s eMbedded Visual Tools (eVT) was the primary IDE:
- eMbedded Visual C++ 3.0
- eMbedded Visual Basic 3.0
Programming Languages
| Language | Use Case | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| C/C++ | System apps | Excellent |
| eVB | Business apps | Moderate |
| .NET CF | Modern apps | Good |
C++ Development
// Simple Pocket PC application
#include <windows.h>
int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance,
HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
LPWSTR lpCmdLine,
int nCmdShow)
{
MessageBox(NULL, L"Hello Pocket PC!",
L"Welcome", MB_OK);
return 0;
}
The .NET Compact Framework
Released in 2002, the .NET Compact Framework revolutionized mobile development:
- Managed code execution
- Simplified memory management
- Rich class library
This was a precursor to modern mobile frameworks. For context on the devices it ran on, see The Rise and Fall of Windows CE: A Computing History.
ActiveSync: The Bridge
Development required synchronization with desktop PCs. ActiveSync provided:
- File transfer
- Debugging support
- Application deployment
Emulator Development
The Pocket PC emulator allowed testing without physical devices:
<!-- Emulator configuration -->
<Emulator>
<Memory>64MB</Memory>
<Screen>240x320</Screen>
<Orientation>Portrait</Orientation>
</Emulator>
Notable Third-Party Tools
The ecosystem included powerful third-party options:
- NSBasic - BASIC for Pocket PC
- AppForge - Cross-platform development
- Satellite Forms - Rapid application development
Learn about specific hardware in The Compaq iPAQ Legacy: The Device That Defined an Era.
Legacy
Many concepts pioneered in Pocket PC development influenced:
- iOS development (Interface Builder �Visual Studio designers)
- Android development (Resource management)
- Modern embedded systems
Conclusion
The tools of the Pocket PC era, while primitive by today’s standards, established patterns we still use in mobile development.
Honoring the tools that shaped mobile development.