W

wait function

Allows a thread to block its own execution. Wait functions do not return until the specified criteria have been met. The type of wait function determines the set of criteria used. When a wait function is called, it checks whether the wait criteria have been met. If the criteria have not been met, the calling thread enters an efficient wait state, consuming very little processor time while waiting for the criteria to be met. Windows CE supports only single object wait functions.

warm boot

The restarting of a running computer without first turning off the power. Also called soft boot, warm start. Compare cold boot.

wave file

A file format in which Windows stores sounds as waveforms. Such files have the extension .wav.

Web Browser ActiveX control

An ActiveX control that programmers can use to add Internet browsing capabilities to applications.

Win32

The application programming interface in Windows 95, Windows NT, and Windows CE that enables applications to use the 32-bit instructions available on 80386 and higher processors.

window

A rectangular area on the screen where an application displays output and receives user input. On a Windows CE-based device that supports a graphical display, a window, rather than the screen itself, is the primary output device. Windows are also the means by which applications send and receive messages to the operating system. Therefore, all Windows CE-based applications— even those that lack a visual interface—need to create and manage windows.

window class

A set of attributes that Windows CE uses as a template to create a window. Each window class has a window procedure that processes messages for all windows of that class. Every window in a Windows CE-based application is a member of a window class.

window control

A predefined child window used in conjunction with another application window to provide a standardized way for users to make selections, carry out commands, and perform input and output tasks. Windows controls typically send WM_COMMAND messages.

window coordinate

The position of a window in relation to the upper-left corner of the screen or, for a child window, the upper-left corner of the parent window's client area.

window handle

A 32-bit value, assigned by Windows CE, that uniquely identifies a window.

window procedure

A function, called by the operating system, that controls the appearance and behavior of its associated windows. The procedure receives and processes all messages to these windows.

window style

A named constant that defines an aspect of the window's appearance and behavior not specified by the window's class.

Windows CE Services

The software supplied with Windows CE that provides ready-made services to aid the applications developer. These services generally deal with interactions between the desktop computer and the Windows CE-based device, and include the Explorer window, file filters, RAPI, ActiveSync, and the Applications Manager.

WinINET function

Win32 Internet functions (WinINET) that assist you in adding Internet access to your applications using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and gopher.

Winsock

Name commonly used for the Windows Sockets programming interface, used to provide a protocol-independent transport interface. Windows CE supports most of the common Winsock functions.