Capturing Windows Messages

[Max De Savi]

I need to develop my own virtual keyboard using .NET Compact Framework
(language C#)
Now I need to replace the buit-in virtual keyboard (SIP) with my own one.
More exactly I want to show/hide my keyboard when an editable control
recives/loose focus.
Obviously I’m able to achive this goal from within my applications but I
would like to extend this behavior regarding to all applications in the
system.
Even for thirty-part applications and even for NOT-managed-code
applications.
For example: if an user opens the browser at www.google.com and places the
cursor in the textbox where he has to input text, my virtual keyboard pops
up. When the textbox looses the focus the keyboard hide.
I believe I have to capture some “Windows Message†that tells to the system
that “an editable control recived the focus†and so I could use this
“trigger†to show the keyboard.
Here my doubts:
1) Is this the correct/smart way to achive my goal?
2) Wich are the messages I need to catch? Parhaps EN_SETFOCUS and
EN_KILLFOCUS?
3) Can I catch these messages from within a .NET Compact Framework
application?
Thank you in advance
Max De Savi

 

[Chris Tacke, eMVP]

1) Is this the correct/smart way to achive my goal?

No. You're never going to get your managed app to act as a system-wide
input panel. If you want to create a SIP, then you should use the OS'
facilities for doing so. Write one in C++ (no CLR Hosting means no way to
do it in managed code). Doug Boling's book on developing for Windows CE has
a chanpter and sample project as a great starting place.


--

Chris Tacke, Embedded MVP
OpenNETCF Consulting
Giving back to the embedded community
http://community.OpenNETCF.com

 

[Max De Savi]

Thanks a lot!

No. You're never going to get your managed app to act as a system-wide
input panel. If you want to create a SIP, then you should use the OS'
facilities for doing so. Write one in C++ (no CLR Hosting means no way to
do it in managed code). Doug Boling's book on developing for Windows CE has
a chanpter and sample project as a great starting place.


--

Chris Tacke, Embedded MVP
OpenNETCF Consulting
Giving back to the embedded community
http://community.OpenNETCF.com