Search Pocket PC Life's 126 Pocket PC-related article archive 
Home
EasyPrint
News details Click here for the RSS feed's XML code. This is not a browser URL.
Articles-only Click here for the RSS feed's XML code. This is not a browser URL.
Programming Windows CE applications on your Windows CE machine (continued)

Pocket Scheme
If you're a LISP or Scheme programmer (Scheme is, loosely termed, the modern standard for LISP) you can't go wrong with Pocket Scheme (at http://www.angrygraycat.com/scheme/pscheme.htm), a full Scheme programming environment that the developer insists will always be free.

It installs quickly and easily and, while it is an alpha release, appeared to be quite robust. I am not a Scheme programmer, however, so I didn't test the environment extensively. Scheme leans heavily toward manipulation of lists and is oriented toward console-mode output. It's much better for writing pattern matching code, AI programs, and text processing than it is for the creation of Windows CE games or utilities. Unless, of course, the game happens to be Hangman or the utility happens to involve chewing through those many vast text files you store on your Windows CE machine.

A noteworthy feature of Pocket Scheme is that it is extensible through DLLs, although the Angry Gray Cat Web site warns darkly that its API "is not a thing of beauty. There is no documentation and no development kit: use the source." It would in fact be straightforward to develop a forms package for Pocket Scheme by writing a DLL in Visual C++.

Basice
Basice (at http://www.jps.net/deang/basice.htm) is a language to watch. While in a rudimentary, freeware form right now, it's already close to the QBASIC of yore, but for a Win32 host instead of DOS.

The sample programs include a simple terminal program, graph plotting, and rudimentary graphics. Another distinct improvement over GWBASIC is a simple form of code sharing through the use of a library directory. You can develop programs either interactively or using a text editor. Basice has built-in support for graphics, file handling, string handling, math functions, error handling, and serial I/O. Its documentation is amazingly good for a free product and would already be acceptable for a commercial product, although currently there's no charge. I suspect there will be as it improves. It is well worth the price--check the Basice Web site routinely if you're interested in programming on a Windows CE machine. It's not yet ready for prime time, but I have high hopes for it.


« Previous  ·  1  ·  2  ·  3  ·  4  ·  5  ·  Next »
Other articles you might like
Home > Phones and PDAs > Windows Mobile (102 articles)
   Finding your way with the Pharos Pocket GPS Navigator
   Pocket PC Viruses: Myth or looming threat?
   Get organized with your Pocket PC
Get Weekly Email Updates
Subscribe to our regular weekly email newsletter. It's packed with tips, reviews, deep analysis, and the latest news.
 
More from the ZATZ journals
Computing Unplugged: Smartphone smarts for a mobile world
David Gewirtz Online: CNN commentary and analysis
DominoPower: It's time for Lotus to double-down on Linux and open source
OutlookPower: The strange case of Outlook losing notes and requiring passwords
-- Advertisement --

EASY DEDICATED AND VIRTUAL DEDICATED SERVERS FOR AS LOW AS $67.99 PER MONTH
Customize and configure your own dedicated server. Simply choose one of our popular plans or select your own Linux or Windows server and plan options.

NO LONG WAITS. Server provisioned within hours.

Tap here now and be up and running with your own server tonight.

ZATZ Home  ·  News  ·  Back Issues  ·  Credits/Trademarks ·  Link To Us
Copyright © 1999-2010, ZATZ Publishing. All rights reserved worldwide.
Editor's Login