Applicaton on Handhelp using ASP.NET

[Ashish Gupta]

Hi All,
We are developing a web based application using ASP.NET
and C#. Now we have got a requirement in which one of our
existing screen needs to be function on one hand held
device which is on Windows CE platform.

(1) Can our existing screen be views from windows CE
based device (assuming screen is small enough to fit in
monitor of device?

(2) If not (in 1), then how do we design screen for
windows CE?

(3) Can we re-use our business class/data class as it is?
if yes, how it will be called from new screen, which we
design for windows CE?

Any pointers on this will be helpful.

Regards,
Ashish

[Peter McMahon [MVP]]

Hi Ashish

> (1) Can our existing screen be views from windows CE
> based device (assuming screen is small enough to fit in
> monitor of device?

Well, it depends on how your existing "screen" is designed. If it features
large graphics, for example, then it probably wouldn't be suitable for use
on a small-screen device and as such would be re-designed. If however the
device you're targeting can "read" plain HTML (as opposed to just WML pages)
and your page's layout is workable given the screen dimensions of the
device, then you shouldn't need to change the page. As I recall Windows CE
can indeed display HTML pages, although I'm not sure if all the HTML
features are available.

> (2) If not (in 1), then how do we design screen for
> windows CE?

It would probably be advisable to view your page either on a Pocket PC-type
device running Windows CE, or on a software emulator. If you need to
re-design a page for mobile-only use, I recommend using the ASP.NET mobile
controls which also support numerous cellphone browsers, so should the
requirements extend beyond just supporting handhelds in the future, you
won't have to change your page again.

> (3) Can we re-use our business class/data class as it is?
> if yes, how it will be called from new screen, which we
> design for windows CE?

You should be able to use your original business classes. Building a mobile
ASP.NET page with Mobile ASP.NET controls is almost identical to building a
regular ASP.NET page.

Peter