Great, thanks Alex I'll check it out next week. I'm interested in the CAB tutorial for other applications as well, I'll look into that as soon as I have time.
Is SQL server CE a free package, like SQL Express?
>>> "Alex Mandel" <
amandel@...> 12/21/2007 4:11 PM >>>
Here's a link to the example(proof of concept) application I built using Visual Studio .Net CF2 and SQL Server CE.
http://ftp.dfg.ca.gov/Public/RAP/Software/VS-PDA_example.zip
The application is a file backup program, specifically it copies the /My Documents/RADB/RADB.cdb file to 2 destinations, configurable by the end user in the interface. The default options(drop down list) are stored in a SQL Server CE table in an sdf file. The output filename is based on a date/time stamp.
In order to get it to work on a handheld right now (Pocket PC) it needs .NET compact framework 2 and SQL Server CE. Most of the older Dells (WM 2002, 2003 and 2003 SE) dont' have these installed. To install them you need to move the CAB files in the top directory to the handheld and then on the handheld in the File Explorer click on them to install.
My application can be installed using the PDA_Backup_Utility.exe
I'd like to get the Microsoft CABs into an easier to install format but haven't been able to figure out how and Microsoft seems to imply that they don't want you to be able to as they're more interested in selling you a newer device.
If you want to look at the code, the project files for Visual Studio 2005 are included in the PDABackup folder.
Have Fun,
Alex
PS: I was able to build the application based on my Visual Basic knowledge, and the MSDN help files. The PDA installation CAB was easy to make following a tutorial that comes with visual studio.
Estimated total hours to make the application and installer before getting stuck on the CAB issue = 6
