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https://github.com/fisothemes/windows-ce-development-pack

A repository contains all the resources and documentation you need to set up a Windows CE development environment without Visual Studio 2008.
https://github.com/fisothemes/windows-ce-development-pack

beckhoff csharp dotnet embedded legacy microsoft netcf twincat twincat-ads windows-ce

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A repository contains all the resources and documentation you need to set up a Windows CE development environment without Visual Studio 2008.

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README 

          
# Windows CE Development Pack



This repository contains all the resources and documentation you need to set up a Windows CE development environment without Visual Studio 2008. The setup uses SharpDevelop 3.2 as the IDE and includes:

  

- **.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0):**  

  Ensure this Windows feature is enabled on your system.

  

- **.NET Compact Framework 3.5 Redistributable:**  

  A redistributable package needed for Windows CE development (available as a release asset).

  

- **Power Toys for .NET Compact Framework 3.5:**  

  Additional tools to help with development (available as a release asset).

  

- **Beckhoff VirtualBox VM:**  

  A pre-configured virtual machine to assist in development (available as a release asset).



## Prerequisites



- A Windows machine that can enable Windows Features.

- **Enable the Windows Feature:**  

  `.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)`  

  To enable, go to **Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off**, then check the appropriate box.

- [SharpDevelop 3.2](https://sourceforge.net/projects/sharpdevelop/files/SharpDevelop%203.x/3.2/) installed.

- [VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/) (for running the Beckhoff VM).



## Setup Instructions



1. **Enable .NET Framework 3.5:**

   - Open Control Panel.

   - Navigate to **Programs and Features**.

   - Click **Turn Windows features on or off**.

   - Check **.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)** and click **OK**.



2. **Install SharpDevelop 3.2:**

   - Download and install SharpDevelop 3.2 from your preferred source or go to the [Releases](https://github.com/fisothemes/windows-ce-development-pack/releases) section of this repository.



3. **Download Required Binaries:**

   - Go to the [Releases](https://github.com/fisothemes/windows-ce-development-pack/releases) section of this repository.

   - Download the following assets:

     - **.NET Compact Framework 3.5 Redistributable**

     - **Power Toys for .NET Compact Framework 3.5**

     - **Beckhoff Windows CE VirtualBox VM**



4. **Set Up the Beckhoff VM:**

   - Install VirtualBox on your machine.

   - In VirtualBox, choose **File > Import Appliance...**.

   - Select the Beckhoff VM file you downloaded.

   - Follow the prompts to complete the VM import.



5. **Start Development:**

   - Open SharpDevelop 3.2.

   - Click **File > New > Solution...**.

   - Under the **Categories** section, select **C#**, click **Compact Framework** and select the **Windows Application** template.



        ![New Solution Window Screenshot](./assets/sharp-develop-new-solution-window-screenshot.jpg)



   - Configure your projects as needed.

   - Refer to the documentation in the `docs` folder for further configuration tips.



## Download Links

If you don't prefer to use GitHub, you can download the assets from the following links:



- [SharpDevelop 3.2 (SourceForge)](https://sourceforge.net/projects/sharpdevelop/files/SharpDevelop%203.x/3.2/)

- [Beckhoff Windows CE VirtualBox VM (Beckhoff)](https://download.beckhoff.com/download/software/embPC-Control/Solutions/VM_WindowCE_WEC7)

- [.NET Compact Framework 3.5 Redistributable (Legacy Update)](https://legacyupdate.net/download-center/download/65/.net-compact-framework-3.5-redistributable)

- [Power Toys for .NET Compact Framework 3.5 (Legacy Update)](https://legacyupdate.net/download-center/download/13442/power-toys-for-.net-compact-framework-3.5)

- [Microsoft Device Emulator (Legacy)](https://legacyupdate.net/download-center/download/5352/microsoft-device-emulator-3.0-standalone-release)



### Additional resources

- [Dissecting a C# Application: Inside SharpDevelop](https://web.archive.org/web/20070121151050/http://www.apress.com/free/content/Dissecting_A_CSharp_Application.pdf)

  - [Accompanying resources](https://web.archive.org/web/20070120003019/http://support.apress.com/1861008171/sharpdevelop_wroxedition.zip)



## For the Beckhoff Devs



For those of you who want to develop for Beckhoff devices using TwinCAT ADS, simply add the `TwinCAT.Ads.dll` .NET Assembly reference located at `C:\TwinCAT\AdsApi\.NET\CE\v2.0\` to your project.



## Known Issues



There are known issues with the Windows Mobile Forms Designer. See the official [wiki](https://github-wiki-see.page/m/icsharpcode/SharpDevelop/wiki/Compact-Framework-Development) for more details.



In short, with SharpDevelop 3.2:

- The Form Designer may generate .NET code containing properties not supported by the Compact Framework. After editing in the designer, some auto-generated lines or keywords (e.g., `PerformLayout()`) might need to be removed manually.

- Many controls available in the left panel may be added but then cause compiler errors.

- The Form Designer has no support for the `MainMenu` class (which is superseded by `MenuStrip` in the regular .NET Framework), meaning menu code often needs to be written manually.



A forum discussion with more details is available on the [Internet Archive](https://web.archive.org/web/20190815144708/http://community.sharpdevelop.net/forums/t/8893.aspx).



## Contributing



Contributions to improve documentation are welcome! Please open an issue or submit a pull request for review.



## Discussion



I have opened up the discussion tab for further conversations.