Opinions please - is development using VS2005, SQL CE 3.0, and .Net CF 2.0 beta 1 realistic?

[Ray]

Hello all,

I'm about to start on a three month pocket PC winform/SQL CE project and I'm
debating whether to move forward with VS2005/CF 2.0 Beta 1 or stick with
VS2003/CF 1.0/SQL CE 2.0.

My development experience with Pocket PC is minimal so if I have to learn,
I'd prefer learning with VS2005/CF 2.0/SQL CE 3.0. The new IDE is beautiful
and is integrated much more tightly with the new SQL CE.

By the time my project is finished, I believe VS2005 will be released so I'd
be able to deliver my project to my client with non-beta code. Microsoft is
still projecting a summer release for VS2005, aren't they?

Is anyone doing any serious development with VS2005/CF 2.0/SQL CE 3.0 right
now? Is it stable enough to work with? Do third-party winform CF 1.0
components work with CF 2.0?

Any opinions and/or comments on your experiences would be very, very
appreciated as I need to make a quick decision.

Also, if there's a more appropriate Usenet or other online discussion
forum(s) for CF 2.0, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,
Ray
Customwerks Software, NYC

 

[Ginny Caughey [MVP]]

Ray,

Until there is an announcement that VS 2005 is RTM, I think it's premature
to plan your release schedule around it. VS 2005, .NetCFv2 and SQL Mobile
are all huge improvments over their predecessors, but they just aren't ready
yet.

Do keep in mind though that the current shipping tools still work well and
have a lot of life in them. I'd recommend using those for production while
continuing to test the beta products, perhaps with the same apps.

 

[Ray]

Rats! I was hoping it'd be a safe bet Thanks for the reply... Ray

 

[Anubhav Mishra]

I would suggest to use the CF 1.0 with SP3, its stable enuf, but if you want
to use some features which will be available in 2.0 then you might have to
wait unless OpenNetcf is not providing the same
Anubhav Mishra