Re: about palm's future
I see a more serious issue in Sony's announcement of their plans to discontinue their PalmOS devices. I know the spin is that there will be more of a push for do-it-all devices (smart phones, etc), but doesn't that necessitate keeping the screen tiny? An app that I developed for one of our inspection departments was bagged due the problems with screen size and having to work with a stylus to take notes. It seems that Sony's announcement only adds fuel to the fire. Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst [EMAIL PROTECTED] 06/15/2004 6:58:42 AM Ben, I would like to see your response to the Palm's quility or this topic is out of the question from your point of view? -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Using pdbs on Expansion Cards
I am working on a project for our Joint Communications (911) manager who needs certain information and an application to access it on his Palm device. The data is very simple, consisting of one numeric (UInt32 will suffice) and three variable length text fields. Unfortunately, the number of records is over 152,000. Even when exported to a tab-delimited text file, it's over 9 Megs. We tried using MobileDB as an alternative for a custom app, but the pdb creation interfacce chokes on anything over 50,000 records. I was still able to create a compatible pdb and transfer it to the SD card, but MobileDB was only able to display about 9,502 records. So, I guess a custom app is called for. If there were fewer records, I'd have no issues, since I've been using Data Manager calls from the get-go. I haven't a clue, however, as to how to open/access (read only) records in a pdb stored on an SD card, and can't seem to find decent documentation (by decent I mean step-by-step), nor can I find any source code examples in the recipes on Palmsource. I do have the Palm OS Bible as well as Rhodes McKeehan's Palm OS Programming (2nd ed), but neither of those even refers to expansion cards. Any suggestions, leads or sample code source links would be appreciated! Steven M. Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO (573) 874-7712 -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: A bit off-topic, not not really
Thanks for the suggestions regarding printers so far. Unfortunately, thermal paper would not work in extreme heat situations (in a truck cab). It's also a requirement that the inspection failure notices printed on-site be full-sized (8 1/2 X 11). Anyone have an ifra what police units use for printers in your city? I'm trying to get that answer from our people, but the point person seems to be on leave. Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: Database Vs Text files(Beginner)
Sadanandam O. asked: I see information is stored in text files on desktop side most of the times. Why the databases such as MS-Access or SQL server are not used as often as text files. I 'll be implementing a conduit for an application. If there are no precise reasons to use text files, I would prefer to use Databases rather text files. Veronica sent a marvelous answer, especially regarding the differences between the Palm database theory/structure vs SQL-type databases. She also suggests a two-step process: Palm - text -SQL database. I would suggest backing up a few more steps in the analysis process to ask the question, What is the purpose of this system?. IOW, what are the users' needs and requirements for this system to do? How is the raw information getting into this system and what are the users needed to find out from the processed information? On the desktop side, are there reports that the user will need to interpret the information or is the desktop app just a repository for the data? Basically, what are the users' requirements for the system you are designing? Usually with such a system the Palm device is only one piece of the puzzle. Once the above analysis is complete, then the question of which tools to use to accomplish the task(s) can be answered more appropriately. The systems that I have been creating tend to involve adding a mobile process to the data processing chain, working on existing data originating on either an AS400 or in a SQL Server database. These pre-existing requirements have suggested the selection of tools and the methodologies required to transfer and manipulate the required data between those repositories and the Palm/back again. One last thing to take into consideration is the level of knowledge that potential users have (a nice way of saying computer literacy). Many of our users either use computers only because its a job requirement or know just enough to be dangerous. If there's a way to break an app, some of them will find it like human Gremlins. Generally, therefore, we try to keep the user interaction down to a minimum. A two-step process like Veronica suggests does not work for us. Even with steps written down there have been users who will forget to do something in a process chain. For me, the KISS principal is still a good one to follow. That my 1/2 cent on the question. Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: problem writing to database (beginner)
Matt,
I would look at storing the data in compressed format instead of
typedef struct {
char Department[20];
char Operator[20];
char RXNumber[20];
} DBRecord;
DBRecordType r;
The problem you are encountering is that you've designed the database
to have records of fixed length. This tends to waste storage space which
is at a premium on older devices as well as giving you the opportunity
to store random garbage in the fields that your app does not
populate. I would suggest reading up on packing your records either in
the forum archives or in Neil Rhodes/Julie McKeehan's book (Palm OS
Programming, 2nd Edition The Developer's Guide). Another good resource
is Lonnon Foster's book, Palm OS Programming Bible. Also, the code for
the installed apps can be helpful in this as well as other issues.
Matt Andreko wrote:
perhaps i'm stupid, or just inexperienced, but what could i do to stop this
from happening? The data in this field will range from 3-20 characters
long, so i just said 20 would be good. I don't mind if it has spaces after
it, but i can't have random data, since the data is being parsed into
another program i'm more familiar with.
Sebastian Voges [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Fri, 06 Jun 2003 15:52:46 -0500, Matt Andreko wrote:
ok, i've seen my mistakes there, and the application is running fine, no
crashes.
However, do you see any reason why in my data, there would be random
letters
placed there? i'm looking at the data when i'm pulling it off into a
text
file (this program is known to work already), and when reading it right
off
the palm using SyncWizard it has a 'p' and a 'DA' in it.
The program that pulls it out has it come like:
123456789 987654321 p147258369 DA
any ideas?
Hi Matt,
I don't know how you read out the data, consider the following
from your code:
typedef struct {
char Department[20];
char Operator[20];
char RXNumber[20];
} DBRecord;
DBRecordType r;
// fill the record with data
StrCopy(r.Department, 123456);
StrCopy(r.Operator, 987654321);
StrCopy(r.RXNumber, 147258369);
you then write this structure out to the record.
The data you write will look like this:
123456\0 followed by 13 bytes of unknown content
987654321\0 followed by 10 bytes of unknown content
147258369\0 followed by 10 bytes of unknown content
My point here is that the structure you allocate is 20 bytes for each
item. You fill out the structure, but there are still unused spaces ( e.g.
1234567 only uses up 7 bytes of the 20 bytes allocation)
Also you don't zero out the structure after creating it, so there will be
random data in it.
so when you read in the data,you probably see the random data after your
strings.
I hope that helps,
Sebastian
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Systems Analyst
City of Columbia, MO
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Re: List loading issue
Actually, this doesn't work. The itemNumber variable refers to the
place in the list that the record is to be displayed and it seems to be
generated and incremented by the OS as evidenced by the fact that
stepping through debugging mode winds up in assembler code between
iterations of the draw function. The process of selecting which records
to display is external to the itemNumber. That will generate and
increment whether the list is drwn with a visible record or not.
Matt Graham wrote:
What you have to do is find out how many of your records have Y, say
N, then set the number of list choices to N, then in your draw function,
itemNumber refers to a record in the set of those with Y.
The trick is doing this efficiently.
Steven M. Jerrett wrote:
My question involves selectively loading a list using a
LstSetDrawFunction function without winding up with blank slots in
the list.
The data involved contains a Dspfg field that contains Y if it is
to be displayed in the initial list or N if not.
static void DrawOneDwellInList(Int16 itemNumber, RectanglePtr bounds,
Char **text)
{
#pragma unused(text)
MemHandle h;
UInt16 index = 0;
Dwells Dw;
Int16 res = 0;
char dispRec[1];
char Disp[1];
char dispLoc[128];
char dispUnit[128];
StrCopy(Disp, Y);
DmSeekRecordInCategory(gDwDB, index, (UInt16) itemNumber,
dmSeekForward, dmAllCategories);
h = DmQueryRecord(gDwDB, index);
if (h)
{
UnpackDwells(Dw, (PackedDwells *) MemHandleLock(h));
StrCopy(dispRec, Dw.Dspfg);
res = StrCaselessCompare(dispRec, Disp);
if (res == 0)
{
StrCopy(dispLoc, Dw.Loc);
StrCopy(dispUnit, Dw.Unit);
DrawCharsToFitWidth2(dispLoc, dispUnit, bounds);
}
MemHandleUnlock(h);
}
}
When this executes, the list is populated thusly:
3703 Oakland Gravel Rd Bldg Main A
3703 Oakland Gravel Rd Bldg Main B
3703 Oakland Gravel Rd Bldg Main C
3800 Cooper Drive East Bldg 2
with blank spots where the records with N in Dspfg would normally
be displayed. Ideally, the display should be:
3703 Oakland Gravel Rd Bldg Main A
3703 Oakland Gravel Rd Bldg Main B
3703 Oakland Gravel Rd Bldg Main C
3800 Cooper Drive East Bldg 2
Using categories is not an option in this case for a variety of
reasons. It seems as if the choices are either what is being displayed
currently (with the blanks) or displaying all the records. Does anyone
have any suggestions
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Re: Developer Certification ?
In article [EMAIL PROTECTED], Stringer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As someone who often uses full screen modal forms, I consider the 'dot' issue a minor OS bug. The OS should be smart enough to recognize 160x160 modal forms and not draw these annoying dots in the corners. I have never seen a need for using full screen modal forms in the almost 20 years of programming in various languages on a variety of OSs. The portion of the UI still visible behind the form is a convention of GUI programming communicating to the user that a specific choice needs to be made before the app can continue or that an error has occurred preventing the app from performing a task or continuing to function. -- Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: Convert Palm App to WindowsCE App
Unfortunately, they do not mention ARM or Palm OS 5.0 on their site (you have to get to the tutorial to find this out). They do seem to utilize Cygwin B20, PRC Tools 2.0 and the Palm SDKs 3.1-4.0. Chris Tutty wrote: This keeps coming back to APPFORGE. It truly seems to have the control, So, are there more to look at? I think www.penright.com is another tool that fits your requirements. Chris Tutty -- Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: OT: Virus from palm.com?
I've been getting this type of message for a while. Not sure what virus it is, but it's one of those that spoofs the sender (i.e., the infected machine of the real sender has the spoofed From address in their Outlook address book). Henk Jonas wrote: Hi all, I just got an email from, from-line was [EMAIL PROTECTED] and addressed to me with the subject Have a nice Christmas and a suspicous attachment. Anybody else got it too? Henk -- Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: Printing program
Check the APIs in the SDK that should have come with your 3rd party printing program. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Can anybody help me in writing printing program?any pointers or links for this will help great. I need my application should able to print with out using third party printer application. -- Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: spt1500 rom file
I think there's a link to downloading flash upgrades to the handheld
ROMs somewhere on the Symbol site, but I cannot remember where. Note,
however, that there are no corresponding image ROMs for Pose...you will
have to use another 3.5 image.
Marco Zhang wrote:
Hi all :
I want to use FlashUtilities tool to customize the spt1500 rom,but I don't have the
based spt1500 3.5 rom files,can some one tell me where can I get it?
Marco
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Re: Just have to say ...
This thread brings to mind a line from the docu-drama on Bill Gates'/ Microshaft's rise to dominance released several years ago. Towards the end of the program, the founder of Mac turns to Gates after he's just announced the launch of Windoze, a stolen port of the Mac OS, and says, Mine's better. Gates' reply: I don't care! Brought to you by the Blue Screen Of Death Foundation Of The Universe. --- Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
Re: How to assign text to a struct?
Michel Petrovic wrote: Thanks for your prompt and exhaustive reply Steven :-) My pleasure. 1) You mention that it's important to clearly divide the numeric fields from the text fields when data is stored. Will it create problems if a struct is stored as-is, without this separation? If so, why? I am unsure what you mean by as-is. A data structure can be altered from one system (desktop) to Palm. One of the best reasons to keep the numeric values at the beginning of the Palm structure is to keep the byte alignment as the OS expects. I have seen unpredictable results when this does not occur. If you mean storing the char data in fixed-length fields, there are several issues, not the least of which is wasting space with meaningless garbage in the unused text fields. Storing text fields in variable-length null-terminated fields conserves space in the limited available memory and gives you an easy way to assign the appropriate data address to the redefined structure -- the fields to display and manipulate. 2) Could the code for packing() and unpacking() also be used when the user modifies a text field that is already stored in the DB? I'm asking because I see that the PackedDiv is used for calculating the Offset, but if it's a modification, isn't there a discrepancy between the length of the PackedDiv.desc and Div.desc? You unpack the record before you display each field (as in a record view) or load a table or list (the opening screen of the address application), or edit a record. When changes are made, the record is repacked and the data is stored at a new address. It might help to go to the Palm Dev site and see what books they recommend. There are some excellent references that give better explanations than I can come up with. It also helps to look at the source code for the on-board applications. Steve Jerrett Systems Analyst City of Columbia, MO -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
