How do I Emulate/Debug Windows CE 5.0 applications in C#?

Question

Here's my problem. I'm currently trying to develop a .Net Compact Framework 2.0 application (in C#) to a Windows CE 5.0 device.

Firstly: How do I debug/emulate the application in Visual Studio 2008 ? I doesn't mean debugging an application already deployed on the device, but debugging the version on my desktop. I have limited or no access to the prototype device.

Secondly: How do I integrate it with the OS image made by Platform Builder for Windows CE 5.0 ? Do I need to ?

Thank you for your time

Answer 1

You should use the emulator which comes with the CE SDK. You can use that directly from vs.net, and it has all win CE features. DEbugging then works on that emulator, so you can step through your code as if it's running on a device.

Answer 2

You have a few options. One would be to install the Emulator BSP, roll your own emulator image, build a custom SDK and install it, then debug targeting that emulator. It's fairly simple to do.

That said, I still wouldn't do it. A far better option is to just go buy a cheap WinCE device like an eBox 4300 jump start kit. It's way easier, faster and and more reliable to target real iron.

As for integrating the app, it's like any other. Make sure you have the CF component included in your OS design from the Catalog, then add your app to your PROJECT.BIB (and REG and/or DAT files if needed) and run makeimg again.

Answer 3

Okay, so thanks everyone for the quick and nice answers. Although I've found my own solution yours may be as valid as mine.

Basically what I didn't tell you (because I didn't really know it either) is that I didn't actually need to emulate the OS, I only needed to work with the framework. I found the best way to "emulate" such situation here.

Also, I found that the easiest way to deploy the application to the device is to use ActiveSync and I found just the right (MSDN) article for it.

Ctacke: It's probably due to my only learning this type of development, I somehow made an error while creating/installing "my own SDK" so the Visual Studio stopped functioning properly. But of course some digging made that go away. Thanks anyway. I liked the idea of developing with a testing device, unfortunately the company I work for already picked a device but they couldn't issue me a prototype for development purposes yet.

Frans, I haven't found your CE simulator, but I'm pretty sure that I didn't look for it enough so thanks.