Data Transfer using ActiveSync

[Wapiti]

Hello AGAIN.... so much to learn, so little time... pardon for all the
requests for help.

I've built my first ppc app using CF VB.net 2003. I create an xml file to
store my program specific settings (such as tools | options items), receive
a parts.txt file for import into sqlce. and then export collection data from
a sqlce database to a collect.txt file for export to the PC. This is all
working fine, but I might have messed up. In VB6, I've always stored this
type of info (program specific ini, xml, data files and databases) in the
programs home directory (app.path). So this is what I did for my ppc app.

However, now comes the time to test and I found that activesync doesn't
appear to sync files in any location other than in 'my documents'. Is this
true?

Just curious how you folks handle data imports/exports? I'm not syncing
with a database now as this is to talk with an aged legacy system.

My app will be run on multiple ppc devices - each would begin with an
initial xml settings file that I'd like to maintain off the handheld for
each client, and then provide to them this xml file customized for their
needs. I see this as being copied to (sync'd) each device that they
purchase.

Also, the app will require a parts.txt file issued from the PC (legacy
system) - I'd like to have activesync copy this onto the handheld whenever
its available from the PC (whenever it is found in a given PC directory, it
should be copied to a specified directory on the ppc). The app will poll
that directory, when its available, it will request the user to initiate the
import.

Then, the app, upon user input, will generate a collect.txt file that needs
to be transferred to the PC and collected by the legacy system.

Currently I'm saving all data in a sqlce database. All files are storing in
the 'program files\myapp' directory. Is it best to create instead, a subdir
under 'my documents' to keep these files in?? I'd rather not, but if
necessary, I will.

Also, how does the process I described above sound to you? I'm not
experienced in ppc / cf development; I'm a vb6 and dos handheld programmer
from the days gone by; this ppc app is to replace a legacy system (thus the
reason for the ascii text files swapping back and forth).

Thanks for any ideas and thoughts you can shed!!

Mike

 

[Chris Tacke, eMVP]

I'd do the logic manually on the PC and not rely on the built-in sync stuff.
A good head start is the OpenNETCF.Desktop.Communcation stuff, though there
are probably VB6 libraries out there (willing to be there not as robust
though).

-Chris

 

[Wapiti]

I wrote the original legacy PC app and it can be configured to place and
receive the transfer (ascii) files on any of the PC's subdirectory. So that
is handled.

My questions relate more to how ActiveSync works. Do the ppc files have to
be located in the 'my documents\*' directory? Or can they reside in the
'program files\*' directory too?

If there's detailed info on how exactly ActiveSync works, I'd be happy to
review that - but all I've found so far, is bonehead info on the basics.

Also, it doesn't appear that any specific file can be configured
differently - all files are treated the same. I'll assume for the moment
that this is correct.

Thanks for the help,

Mike