Microsoft Announces Windows CE Toolkits for Visual Basic, Visual C++ And Visual J++

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 29, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. today announced three new development tool products for the Microsoft® Windows® CE 2.0 operating system: The Microsoft Windows CE Toolkit for the Visual Basic® programming system version 5.0, the Microsoft Windows CE Toolkit for the Visual C++® development system version 5.0, and the Microsoft Windows CE Toolkit for Visual J++
™development system version 1.1. These toolkits enable developers using the Win32® set of APIs to apply their knowledge in Windows-compatible programming, allowing them to build applications for Windows CE-based devices and create new business opportunities and solutions. Each toolkit is an add-in to the corresponding Microsoft development system, fully integrating new technology for Windows CE 2.0-based development. In addition, the Windows CE Embedded Toolkit for Visual C++, also announced today, brings embedded development technology to Windows CE.

Beta versions of the Windows CE toolkits for Visual Basic and Visual C++ are available immediately for free download from the Microsoft Web site (connect-time charges may apply), and a beta version of the Windows CE Toolkit for Visual J++ is expected to become available during the fourth quarter of this year. The final releases of the toolkits for Visual Basic, Visual C++ and Visual J++ will be available to developers through the retail channel, with expected customer availability in the first quarter of 1998. Pricing for these products has not yet been announced.

“With the introduction of the Windows CE toolkits for its leading Visual Basic, Visual C++ and Visual J++ development tools, Microsoft is extending Windows CE-based development to the millions of developers for 32-bit Windows worldwide,” said Harel Kodesh, general manager of the consumer appliance group at Microsoft. “Now, whatever their language preference, all developers for Windows will be able to develop applications and solutions for the Windows CE platform and take advantage of the new market opportunities in non-PC devices.”

New Technology for Windows CE-Based Development

Each of the Windows CE toolkits provides new Windows CE development technology integrated into the corresponding tool’s integrated development environment (IDE) designed to ease the development process for Windows CE, including the following:

  • Emulation environment for development and testing of applications so they can run completely on the desktop environment. Emulation provides the look and API behavior of a device from a PC environment – no device required.

  • Auto-download of applications built on the desktop to Windows CE-based devices with all files automatically downloaded to the device for testing.

  • Remote application debugger for setting breakpoints and controlling program execution for applications running remotely on a Windows CE-based device using the standard serial connection.

Bringing the Performance and Ease of Programming With Visual Basic to Windows CE

The Windows CE Toolkit for Visual Basic 5.0 enables the millions of developers using Visual Basic to apply their knowledge to building applications targeting
Windows CE-based mobile and embedded devices. The toolkit’s development environment is immediately familiar to developers using Visual Basic, making it easy for them to be instantly productive in developing Windows CE-compatible applications.

The Windows CE Toolkit for Visual Basic includes Windows CE-based versions of many of the Visual Basic common controls and also ships with a set of sample projects that make it easy for developers to get started building Windows CE-based solutions. Microsoft is licensing the Visual Basic run-time for Windows CE (a subset of the Visual Basic run-time for the Windows 95 and Windows NT® operating systems) as part of the Windows CE 2.0 operating system, enabling OEMs to include the Visual Basic run-time for Windows CE in ROM. With the introduction of the Windows CE Toolkit for Visual Basic 5.0, corporations can now utilize existing Visual Basic developer resources, reducing training costs and capitalizing on existing investments in training and technology, to develop and deploy mobile Windows CE-based applications designed to synchronize and share data with applications and solutions on the desktop.

The Power of Visual C++ for Windows CE-Based Development

The Windows CE Toolkit for Visual C++ makes it easy for developers using Visual C++ to apply their existing 32-bit Windows code and development experience to create Windows CE-based applications and take advantage of new market opportunities. The Windows CE Toolkit for Visual C++ includes cross-compilers based on Microsoft C11 compiler technology for all supported processors , Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) for Windows CE 2.0 along with versions of the MFC AppWizard and ClassWizard for Windows CE, and Active Template Library (ATL) for Windows CE 2.0 to easily create ActiveX
™
Controls for Windows CE-based development. Developers can take advantage of their expertise with the Visual C++ IDE, as well as remote versions of Spy, Zoom-in, Registry Editor and Memory Viewer, which work over a standard serial connection. The toolkit also includes the Windows CE 2.0 Platform SDK, extensive sample applications, and a complete set of development and CPU reference documentation online.

Visual J++ Support Comes to Windows CE

With the Windows CE Toolkit for Visual J++ 1.1, developers can take advantage of the high productivity environment of Visual J++ on the desktop to create Java
™
and high-performance applications for Windows CE. Windows CE-specific classes are provided supporting features such as the CommandBar and IrDA, enabling Visual J++ to take full advantage of the Windows CE platform. Direct access to Windows CE-specific APIs can be accomplished through the Raw Native Interface (RNI), with J/Direct to be supported in a future release. The robust debugger enables developers to debug either through emulation or on a remote device applets in a browser, at the bytecode level and multiple applets simultaneously. In addition, the toolkit includes a Windows CE-based version of AppWizard, extensive sample applications and a complete set of development documentation.

Beta Versions Available on the Web

In addition to the Windows CE toolkits for Visual Basic 5.0, Visual C++, and Visual J++, Microsoft also announced the Windows CE Embedded Toolkit for Visual C++ for embedded development using the Windows CE operating system. For more information on the complete line of Microsoft development tools for Windows CE and to immediately download available beta versions of the toolkits, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce/developer/ .Windows CE is a Win32-based pre-emptive, multitasking, graphical, high-connectivity operating system, designed specifically for embedded applications, which enables lower development costs and shorter time to a broader market.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft, Windows, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual J++, Win32, Windows NT and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.

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