.NET Compact Framework 2.0
Compared to version 1.0, version 2.0 offers a large amount of innovations. In connection with Visual Studio 2005 development environment and C# programming language it is considered to be a very powerful tool for Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system programming (even for the older Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 2003 SE systems). Now it is very easy to transfer parts of CRM or another system into a pocket computer (PDA, Pocket PC) or Smart phone device. It has never been so easy to exploit features like photo camera, SMS or phone (if it’s a device with WM 5.0 Phone edition system). Further, Compact Framework 2.0 offers us simple access to Pocket Outlook data as are contacts, tasks, notes or calendar events. All these and many other features are easily programmed using new components like e. g. MonthCalendar, WebBrowser, Notification, DateTimePicker, DocumentList, Datagrid for Smart phones, and many more.
Possible technologic platforms
.NET Compact Framework 2.0 references:
The C++ language is suitable for development of applications with high requirements for fast and robust solution. The final product can be a standard 32-bit Windows application (using the MFC - Microsoft Foundation Classes library) with a standard user interface or a Windows/Linux service running in the background that is suitable for server implementation.
C++ references:
The Visual Basic 6.0 technology is suitable everywhere, where it is necessary to develop a complex client application with complex user interface, and for some reason it is not suitable for the .NET technology (e.g. not sufficient PC performance, older operating system).
For developing a web application for a Windows platform, it is best to use the ASP.NET technology, which provides robust and fast solutions for the creation of an entire web presentation. Thanks to the Microsoft.NET technology, the development is fast, and the application runs reliably. The ASP.NET technology also allows easy link to MS SQL or Oracle database.
ASP.NET references:
Modcomp Limited (UK) - Online booking system for holiday homes rentals
Outlook Add-in technology allows extension of the existing functionality of MS Outlook. By using the Add-in module, you can add new buttons to the MS Outlook toolbar and change the behaviour of any form. Furthermore, you can automatically import any data from a database (MS SQL, Access) to MS Outlook – e.g. to show the contact from the SQL server in MS Outlook.
Outlook Add-in references:
Microsoft SQL Server is a robust Windows database platform. This platform is suitable for applications working with large volumes of data. Thanks to MS SQL the data access is fast and efficient. The database interface can be precisely defined using the stored procedure technologies, which simplifies the development of the entire application and increases its safety and stability.
Using the SQL Reporting services module, any reports can be generated for data stored in the database (“data mining”) in real time. For example, this data can be further used for web or client applications.
MS SQL references:
SQL Server Mobile is a complete database solution for mobile devices. Development of database applications is very simple using this tool. This includes the complete synchronization with SQL Server. Now it is possible even on mobile devices to completely manage and edit databases. Next, there is support even of reporting tools and other SQL server functions.
Possible technologic platforms
MS SQL Server Mobile references:
PHP is an object oriented programming language with a very similar structure to the C++ language., PHP is a very popular technology today, allowing easy server-side programming. This can be used to create various interactive websites. PHP is an Open Source, thus a free distributed technology.
PHP references:
Clifford Chance (Prague) - development and administration of the intranet portal
Flash is a technology which allows the creation of interactive animations and programs not only for websites. Flash was developed by Macromedia.
Flash references:
Lenox Softworks (USA) - flash animations for maths education
MySQL is a relation database type DBMS (database management system) based on the declarative programming language SQL (Structured Query Language). It is distributed as Open Source. MySQL is a system entrenched mainly in web applications and is quite preferred for cooperation with PHP.
Classical approach divides applications into two categories: a “Thick Client” and a “Thin Client”. The Thick Client is according to traditional concept a full-value application which runs entirely on user’s computer. On the other hand the Thin Client is mostly presented as an internet browser, which connects to a web application containing all the application logic.
“Smart Client” technology (http://msdn.microsoft.com/smartclient/) combines the advantages of both solutions. The User may make use of a full-value graphic interface; application can react dynamically on user-action, and use local sources. However, at the same time the application is easily upgradeable, and what is most important, the application runs inside an already existing client - which is already well known to the user – mostly the Microsoft Office applications.
The application of “Smart Client” type has these basic characteristics:
1. Integration into existing user interface
The application runs under a host application (Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc.) and is fully integrated into their user interface. The user is thus not exposed to a new and unknown environment. Current one is just enriched by another feature.
2. Application uses local sources
The application uses local sources to run (CPU, RAM) as well as local peripheries (telephone, fingerprint reader, bar-code reader). This application can also work very easily with files stored on a hard drive.
3. Connection with a server
The application never runs stand-alone. It is always a part of a bigger distributed solution. All the data the application is working with are coming from a server. The application communicates with the server via XML Web service technology.
4. Work offline
As an application runs on a client‘s computer, it is not dependent on a continuous connection to server. If the connection is not available the user can still work with the application. After the connection is restored, the data are automatically uploaded to the server.
5. Automatic update
.NET Framework technology allows automatic actualizations of each single module during the process of securing consistence of the whole application. Application itself monitors whether there is a newer version and if there is, the newer version is offered to the user. Eventually, the actualization is fully automatic. So it is certain that the user always possesses the newest version of the software.