Concentrating on the Win32 C APIs that power the new Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 operating system, Windows CE 3.0 Application Programming provides an essential resource for anyone developing software for handheld devices. Filled with plenty of short sample code written in C (with some C++), this book shows what's different on the latest small footprint platform.

The focus on the APIs themselves is what sets this apart from many programming tutorials. Though there is a discussion of several higher-level techniques — like working with Unicode strings or doing memory management on the Windows CE platform — this book uses a solid and somewhat traditional approach to showing what features exist in this new OS. Section by section, the book walks you through the essential areas of API, from using files to network resources, as well as plenty of coverage of Windows CE features, including using property databases, the Pocket Office Object Model (POOM), ActiveSync, and CE versions of other Microsoft technologies (such as ADOCE and SQL Server CE for database programming).

Oddly, the book doesn't mention user interface programming. Though some Pocket PC devices do not even have interfaces, many do. This omission makes this text more about systems programming for Window CE, which means there is plenty of room to explore what's under the hood.

Instead of just listing the C API call, Windows CE 3.0 provides a snippet of code that shows precisely how to use each function. Network programming using HTTP and sockets, as well as serial communications and GPS device data (which is delivered through the serial port), are covered. You'll also want to read the chapter on Windows CE memory management — a crucial topic. Besides C, you also learn how to use MFC and C++ for certain functions — like database programming, threading, and OLE automation — which can simplify your programming chores.