In order to deploy Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 on a target device, you must create an OS design that includes the necessary operating system (OS) components, features, drivers, and configuration settings. You can then use Platform Builder to build the corresponding run-time image for deployment. The most important tasks you must accomplish to create a customized OS design that suits your requirements include:
¦ Creating an OS design project in Visual Studio by using the OS Design Wizard.
¦ Adding and removing components from the OS manually and through dependencies.
¦ Setting environment and SYSGEN variables through the Catalog Editor.
¦ Configuring regional settings for localization of the OS design.
¦ Cloning components from the catalog either automatically by clicking Clone Catalog Item or manually by using the Sysgen Capture tool.
¦ Exporting a custom SDK for your OS design to facilitate application development for your target device.
Key Terms
Do you know what these key terms mean? You can check your answers by looking up the terms in the glossary at the end of the book.
¦ OS design
¦ Component
¦ SYSGEN variable
¦ Environment Variable
¦ Software Development Kit
Suggested Practice
To help you successfully master the exam objectives presented in this chapter, complete the following tasks:
Create a Custom OS Design
By using the OS Design Wizard, create an OS design based on the Device Emulator: ARMV4I BSP and the Custom Device design template. Perform the following tasks after OS design creation:
¦ Add the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 Add this catalog item by using the search feature in the Catalog Items View.
¦ Localize your run-time image Display the OS Design property pages and localize the OS design for the French language.
Generate and Test an SDK
Based on the OS design generated during Lab 1, perform the following tasks:
¦ Build and generate the binary image Build and generate the binary image for the OS design generated in the Release build configuration.
¦ Create and install the SDK Verify that the build process completes successfully, and then create a new SDK, build it, and install it on an application development computer.
¦ Use the SDK Use another instance of Visual Studio and create a Win32 Smart Device application. Use your custom SDK as the reference SDK for the project and build the application.
Chapter 2
Building and Deploying a Run-Time Image
The Microsoft® Windows® Embedded CE 6.0 R2 build process is very complex. This process includes several phases and relies on a variety of tools to initialize the Windows Embedded CE build environment, compile the source code, copy modules and files to a common release directory, and create the run-time image. Batch files and build tools, such as the Sysgen tool (Sysgen.bat) and the Make Binary Image tool (Makeimg.exe), automate this process. You can run these tools directly at the command prompt or start the build process in Microsoft Platform Builder for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2. The Platform Builder integrated development environment (IDE) relies on the same processes and tools. In either case, a thorough understanding of the build process and the steps required to deploy the resulting runtime image is essential if you want to create run-time images efficiently, troubleshoot build errors, or deploy Board Support Packages (BSPs) and subprojects as part of a run-time image on a target device.
Exam objectives in this chapter:
¦ Building run-time images
¦ Analyzing build results and build files
¦ Deploying a run-time image on a target device
¦ To complete the lessons in this chapter, you must have:
¦ An understanding of operating system (OS) design aspects, including catalog items and the configuration of environment variables and SYSGEN variables, as explained in Chapter 1, 'Customizing the Operating System Design.'
¦ At least some basic knowledge about Windows Embedded CE software development, including source code compilation and linking.
¦ A development computer with Microsoft Visual Studio® 2005 Service Pack 1 and Platform Builder for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 installed.
Lesson 1: Building a Run-Time Image
The Windows Embedded CE build process is the final step in the run-time image development cycle. Based on the settings defined in the OS design, Platform Builder compiles all components, including subprojects and the BSP, and then creates a runtime image that you can download to the target device. The build process entails several build phases, automated by means of batch files. You must understand these phases and the build tools if you want to configure build options correctly, create runtime images efficiently, and solve build-related issues.
