convert .net cf app to run on desktop

  • Thread starter Thread starter anbeyon
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anbeyon

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone might be able to give me a few pointers. I have an
application that runs on a CE based device written in VB.NET on .net
CF. I now need to make it run on a desktop machine.

Can anyone give me any pointers as to how best to convert the
application ?

Any hint/tips etc... would be greatfully received.

Many thanks

Anbeyon
 
Hi Anbeyon,

my tip is: just do it !

Create a new solution for the desktop, copy all your source files to
the newly created directory and add those as existing items to your
desktop project. Then just try to compile it.
I guess it could work on first attempt, as .NET CF is only a subset of
the desktop framework. I don't know of many classes that exist in CF
but not on the desktop(InputPanel would be an example.), but there are
many classes for the desktop framework that are not available in the
CF. So I think the greater challenge is the other way round(i.e.
converting desktop app to CF app!).

If you are doing interop with native code in the CF app, then you would
have more work I think. I won't step to deep into that now, as I don't
know if this is what you want to know.

Let me know if you need additional information.

Florian
 
I noticed your first article was written in 2004. With the more extensive
classes available to CF in 2.0, do you still feel that is viable to have a
shared codebase for both CF and full framework?
 
Yes. The technique and principles are the same and it all works the same.

The fact that CF 2.0 has more CF-specific classes (see link in my other
reply to this thread) doesn't really hinder anything. If your app made sense
on the desktop in 2004 then it still does today. In fact, CF v2.0 brings
greater compatibility with the desktop framework and hence makes the
cross-platform targeting easier. Even the resx format is the same now:
http://www.danielmoth.com/Blog/2005/08/resx-compatibility-for-smart-device.html

So, yes I still feel it is viable. Everything you need to know about the
mechanics of it are on my blog. For a more in-depth treatment of the subject
I invite you to MEDC where I will be talking on this subject:
http://www.medc2006.com/

Cheers
Daniel
 
Thanks Daniel. I'm quite sure this would be a productive event for me to
attend. Alas, the WSOP used to be held in Vegas during that time, so I would
already be out there for MEDC2006, but WSOP is now held in the summer. Being
a solo developer, unless I can get someone to fund the trip ... :)
 
The "retargetable" approach becomes very feasible once you modularize
your design. Differences in (UI-) functionality can then be factored
out to some thin platform specific DLLs. A widget-like UI (e.g.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/dashboard/) plus the ability to
synchronize data can be a very good reason to port from mobile to
desktop without major UI changes.
 
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