Exploring the IDE

The Windows CE Toolkit for Visual Basic 6.0 consists of an integrated set of menus, tools, and toolbars that enable you to configure a project, compile code, and establish communication with a Windows CE-based device, all from a single user interface. This integrated development environment (IDE) is a modified version of the Visual Basic 6.0 IDE. An add-in creates the customized toolkit IDE by adding new commands, removing unsupported commands, and adapting existing commands for Windows CE-based projects.

When you load a Windows CE-based project, the toolkit automatically modifies the Visual Basic 6.0 interface. For example, the toolkit replaces the Query and Diagram menus with a new Windows CE menu. The Windows CE menu contains commands that enable you to accomplish such tasks as altering registry entries and copying run-time files to a connected device or emulator.

The following sections describe the main components of the IDE, with an emphasis on the new characteristics of menus and toolbars. For detailed information about the IDE toolbox and associated controls, see Working with Controls later in this guide.