Microsoft® ActiveX® Data Objects (ADO) is a strategic, high-level interface to all types of data. ADO provides consistent, high-performance access to data, whether you are creating a front-end database client or a middle-tier business object using an application, tool, language, or Internet browser. ADO is part of the Microsoft Universal Data Access model, along with OLE DB and Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).
Microsoft® Active Data Objects for the Windows® CE operating system (ADOCE) provides a subset of ADO for Windows CE. ADOCE includes its own internal database provider and enables you to have access to databases stored locally on a Windows CE–based device instead of working with databases stored remotely on desktop computers.
With an ADOCE control, you can develop applications using the same ADO syntax you use for programming on a desktop computer. ADOCE is based on ADO 1.0, with an emphasis on ADO recordset functionality. Most of the new features in ADO 1.5 and later are client/server focused and are not included in ADOCE.
ADOCE requires minimal work to port existing ADO-based code and provides for increased future compatibility. Whenever possible, ADOCE returns the same error values and error strings as ADO, which maintains the separation of errors between OLE DB errors (DB_E_XXX) and native ADO errors (adErrXXX).
The first part of this guide contains information on how to write applications that use ADOCE, while the reference sections provide specific information on syntax and the ADOCE object model. This guide is organized so that you can learn to use the ADOCE control by reading the guide from beginning to end. At the beginning of the guide, you will find general information about the control. The middle of the guide discusses how to use the control in an application and a brief introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL). The end of the guide has information about how to ship an application that uses ADOCE, samples demonstrating the use of the control, and reference guides for ADOCE and SQL.
Active Data Objects for Windows CE 2.12 now includes support for the enhanced SQL LIKE statement.
The online documentation has been reorganized and updated to facilitate ease of use. The structure of the documentation has changed to closely resemble that of a traditional book. Introductory topics are at the front, and the topics appear in the order that you encounter them when writing an application that uses the ADOCE control. The guide is concluded by a discussion of the samples that ship with ADOCE and references for ADOCE and SQL.
ADOCE supports the following ADO objects:
ADOCE does not support the following standard ADO features:
There is a fixed connection to the ADOCE database engine.
All commands are sent using the Open method.
All errors are returned in the Visual Basic Err object.
The ADOCE provider supplies no additional properties.
The ADOCE 2.12 release is only available with Windows CE Platform Builder 2.12.
ADOCE is supported on multiple Windows CE platforms. In order to write an application for a specific platform, you need to install the platform Software Development Kit (SDK) for that platform and make sure the SDK is compatible with the development environment you are using. SDKs are available from the Microsoft web site (see below). ADOCE is supported on the following Windows CE platforms:
ADOCE is supported on this platform by downloading the Palm-Size PC Software Development Kit (SDK) from the Microsoft Windows CE site (see below).
ADOCE is shipped in the ROM for these devices and is fully supported.
ADOCE is supported on this platform by downloading the ADOCE 2.0 SDK from the Microsoft Windows CE site (see below). Synchronization is not supported on this platform due to a limitation in the OS.
Custom Windows CE platforms can be created using the Microsoft Windows CE Platform Builder. Support for ADOCE or Visual Basic for Windows CE must be specified when the platform is built. In order for applications to be written on a custom platform, a custom SDK for that platform must be created using the Platform Builder. For more information about custom Windows CE platforms and Platform Builder, search www.microsoft.com for "Platform Builder."
Current SDKs for Windows CE–based devices can be downloaded from the Microsoft Windows CE Web site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/cetools/downloads/devkits.asp.
You can find late-breaking updates and technical information in the Readme file included with your product disks or CD.
If you still have a question, Microsoft offers technical support and services ranging from self-help tools to direct assistance with a Microsoft technical engineer.
You will not be charged for a technical support incident when reporting a toolkit bug.
To get information about Microsoft support options and resources
For more information about the Windows CE toolkits and the Windows CE operating system, see the following Web sites:
This reference is divided into two sections: A Programmer's Guide and a Programmer's Reference. The Programmer's Guide introduces you to the Active Data Objects for Windows CE (ADOCE) programming environment. The Guide covers the tools, controls, and wizards that are specific to the ADOCE toolkit. Accessing the ADOCE Application Programming Interface (API) is also covered in the Guide. The Programmer's Reference covers the language features used to write applications with the ADOCE control and SQL.
To Use the Online Documentation
To find a subject in this document, consult the Contents tab. The structure of the documentation has changed to closely resemble that of a traditional book. Introductory topics appear on the initial portion of the directory tree, and the topics appear in the order that you encounter them when writing an application that uses the ADOCE control. The guide is concluded by a discussion of the samples that ship with ADOCE and references for ADOCE and SQL. You can read this documentation from beginning to end by opening the first topic in the contents and using ALT+DOWN ARROW to move through the topics.
If you cannot find the topic you need in the contents, or if you have a specific keyword you need information on, click the Index tab and enter the keyword in the field. This documentation has been thoroughly indexed to increase ease of use. To find information about a control, object, method, property, or error code, search the index.
To Access the Online Documentation
There are three ways to access theADOCE Online Documentation:
When working on a Windows CE project in the Visual Basic IDE, select Windows CE Toolkit Help… from the Help menu. This opens the Programmer's Guide and Reference for the toolkit. You can also refer to the Programmer's Guide and Reference for Active Data Objects for Windows CE from the toolkit Help window.
The Visual Basic for Windows CE documentation is integrated into the MSDN library. The documentation can be found in the second level under the heading "Windows CE Documentation." The MSDN library is accessed by pressing F1 in the Visual Basic IDE, choosing Contents from the Help menu in the Visual Basic IDE, or through the Start menu.
The Visual Basic for Windows CE documentation is integrated into the Windows CE library. The Windows CE library is part of the Windows CE Platform SDK and is installed when the SDK is installed. The library contains information about the Windows CE platform, a CE device chipset reference, and other supporting documentation. You can access the Windows CE library from the Start button. Choose Windows CE Help from the Windows CE Platform SDK group on the Programs menu.
To use Context Sensitive Help
Context Sensitive (F1) help is not supported by Visual Basic for Windows CE or ADOCE. Pressing F1 opens the MSDN library, within which you can navigate to the ADOCE documentation.
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