Windows CE
<operating system> /C E/ A version of the {Microsoft Windows}
{operating system} that is being used in a variety of
{embedded} products, from {handheld} PCs to specialised
industrial {controllers} and consumer electronic devices.
Programming for Windows CE is similar to programming for other
{Win32} {platforms}.
Windows CE was developed to be a customisable operating system
for embedded {applications}. Its {kernel} borrows much from
other Microsoft {32-bit} operating systems, while eliminating
(or replacing) those operating system features that are not
needed for typical Windows CE-based applications. For
example, as on {Windows NT}, all applications running on
Windows CE run in a fully {preemptive multitasking}
environment, in fully {protected memory} spaces.
The {Win32} (API) for Windows CE is smaller than the Win32 API
for the other 32-bit Windows operating systems. It includes
approximately half the interface methods of the Windows NT
version of the API. But the Win32 API for Windows CE also
includes features found in no other Microsoft operating
system. The notification API, for example, makes it possible
to handle user or application notification events (such as
timer events) at the operating-system level, rather than in a
running application. The {touch screen} API and the built-in
support for the Windows CE {database} are not found in other
Windows operating systems. The touch screen API makes it easy
to manage screen calibration and user interactions for
{touch-sensitive displays}, while the database API provides
access to a data storage facility.
(http://channels.microsoft.com/windowsce/developer/default.htm).
(http://channels.microsoft.com/windowsce/developer/technical/default.htm).
(1997-12-20)