Chapter 17. ActiveSyncActiveSync facilitates synchronization of data between a desktop and a companion application running on a Windows CE device. Users expect an application to automatically transfer data to and from the Windows CE device and to synchronize changes, so wherever applicable you should implement ActiveSync functionality in your applications. However, this is one of the most difficult tasks you are likely to encounter in Windows CE development. You will need to know about Component Object Model (Chapter 14, COM and ActiveX), CE property database programming (Chapter 4), writing Dynamic Link Libraries, registry manipulation (Chapter 4), and process and thread synchronization (Chapter 6). Adding ActiveSync functionality is one of those annoying programming tasks where you cannot see something working until you have implemented lots of code both on the desktop and the Windows CE device. ActiveSync 3.1 replaces Windows CE Services 2 and improves reliability, setup, and installation and improves performance. ActiveSync 3.1 does not require configuration or installation changes on the Windows CE device. You can write ActiveSync code that will also run with Windows CE Services. Windows CE Services for Windows CE 2.11 and ActiveSync 3.1 provide support for database volumes that is not provided in earlier versions. You will have experienced the benefits of ActiveSync with the Pocket Outlook Applications, such as automatic synchronization of appointments, contact information, and tasks. If you are writing a companion application for Windows CE that shares data with your desktop application, you will need to implement ActiveSync. You implement an ActiveSync Service Provider, and ActiveSync provides the service manager. You can implement manual synchronization (which occurs when the device connects or when the user clicks the "Synchronize" button in ActiveSync), or continuous synchronization (with automatic, instantaneous updates). The latter takes more effort to implement, primarily on the desktop.
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