Difference between revisions of "WinCE port"

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* CPU support for WinCE target:
 
* CPU support for WinCE target:
 
** [[ARM]] CPU is fully supported. See [[arm-wince]] how to setup a crosscompiling enviroment  
 
** [[ARM]] CPU is fully supported. See [[arm-wince]] how to setup a crosscompiling enviroment  
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** [[i386]] CPU support was not tested too much and may contain bugs. Patches are welcome. See [[i386-wince]] for howto compile for i386-wince
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  There are readymade crosscompiler package available(See Lazarus download sources)
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** [[i386]] CPU support was not tested too much and may contain bugs. Patches are welcome.Normally there is no readymade crosscompiler package for this CPU. See [[i386-wince]] howto setup a cross compile enviroment(Win32 Host)
 
* The following platforms are supported:
 
* The following platforms are supported:
 
** Devices based on WinCE 3.0 or later
 
** Devices based on WinCE 3.0 or later
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* [http://community.freepascal.org:10000/docs-html/rtl RTL] and [http://community.freepascal.org:10000/docs-html/fcl FCL] units are working.
 
* [http://community.freepascal.org:10000/docs-html/rtl RTL] and [http://community.freepascal.org:10000/docs-html/fcl FCL] units are working.
  
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== Download cross compiler ==
 
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The easiest way to start development for WinCE is to download the latest release version of FPC for Win32 and arm-wince cross compiler for Win32.
 
  
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Download them here: http://www.freepascal.org/download.var
 
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First install FPC for Win32, then install arm-wince cross compiler as add-on package.
 
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== Building WinCE cross compiler from sources ==
 
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During the tutorial some paths will be suposed to demonstrate the build process. Just substitute those paths with the ones on your system.
 
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This tutorial demonstrates how to build '''arm-wince''' crosscompiler.
 
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See [[i386-wince]] for target i386-wince (crosscompiler and binutils are not needed there, as the standard i386-Win32 versions can be used)
 
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'''Step 1''' - Cross binutils (not necessary for [[i386-wince]])
 
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These are the basic tools necessary to create executables, such as: Linker (ld), Assembler (as), Archiver (ar) (Creates smartlinking .a files), strip and some others.
 
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You need cross binutils for arm-wince, get them from  ftp://ftp.freepascal.org/pub/fpc/contrib/cross/arm-wince-binutils.zip for Win32.
 
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Extract them to some dir in the path on your machine.
 
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We will supose that you extracted the cross binutils to: <tt>C:\Programas\arm</tt>
 
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'''Step 2''' - Cross compiler (not necessary for [[i386-wince]])
 
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Now you need to build fpc cross compiler for ARM processor. To do that you need fpc 2.2.0 or later sources and working installation of fpc 2.2.0 for Win32.
 
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You can get the latest fpc source repository from Subversion: http://www.freepascal.org/develop.html#svn
 
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We will supose that your Win32 fpc compiler is located here: <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\bin\i386-win32</tt>
 
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And your Free Pascal source code is located here: <tt>C:\Programas\fpc</tt>
 
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'''Step 3''' - The Build process (See [[i386-wince]] for the build process for that target)
 
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In order to build the cross compiler it is necessary to have a correct <tt>PATH</tt> environment variable.
 
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On Windows it is very easy to get a <tt>PATH</tt> crowded with information put by installers. To ensure that your path is correct, create a batch file with the following code:
 
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<pre>
 
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PATH=C:\Programas\fpc\bin\i386-win32;C:\Programas\arm
 
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make cycle CPU_TARGET=arm OS_TARGET=wince
 
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</pre>
 
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Put this file on <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\compiler</tt>, open the Windows command line, go to this folder and execute the batch file.
 
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On the end of the compile you should not see any errors.
 
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You should have a <tt>ppccrossarm.exe</tt> in <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\compiler</tt> and some <tt>.o</tt> and <tt>.ppu</tt> files in <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\rtl\units\arm-wince</tt>
 
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Now copy those files to your Free Pascal installation. The cross compiler <tt>ppccrossarm.exe</tt> should go to <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\bin\arm-wince</tt> and the units to <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\units\arm-wince</tt>
 
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'''Step 4''' - Configuration file
 
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Now you need to create <tt>fpc.cfg</tt> configuration file in <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\bin\arm-wince</tt> folder in order to use <tt>ppccrossarm.exe</tt> easy.
 
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Create empty <tt>fpc.cfg</tt> file in <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\bin\arm-wince</tt> folder and add the following lines to it:
 
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<pre>
 
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-Twince
 
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-FuC:\Programas\fpc\units\arm-wince
 
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-XParm-wince-
 
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-FDC:\Programas\arm
 
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</pre>
 
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Finally add <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\bin\arm-wince</tt> and <tt>C:\Programas\fpc\bin\i386-win32</tt> to your <tt>PATH</tt> environment variable.
 
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'''Remember to substitute the paths with the ones on your system.'''
 
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'''Alternative Step 4''' - Configuration file for hybrid compilation
 
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If you want to compile your projects with the same "fpc" for both win32 and winCE platforms, you can do the following:
 
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* copy ppcrossarm.exe into your fpc/bin/i386-win32 directory
 
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* edit your fpc.cfg in that directory and add:
 
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<pre>
 
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-FuC:\path_to_fpc\units\arm-wince
 
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-XParm-wince-
 
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-FDC:\path_to_arm_binutils
 
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</pre>
 
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'''Remember to substitute the paths with the ones on your system.'''
 
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Now when you want to compile for WinCE you just have to specify the OS and Arch targets to fpc.
 
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NOTE: if you use Lazarus this will work flawlessly, but make sure to point lazarus to "fpc.exe" not "ppc386.exe".
 
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== Compiling a Test Project ==
 
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You compiled the compiler! Now, what can I do with it? This is a tutorial to create a hello world like software with your new compiler.
 
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'''Step 1''' - Installing and Configuring the Emulator
 
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You will need a Windows CE Emulator configured for ActiveSync. The ActiveSync is necessary to install PocketCMD, a command line tool to run our hello world software.
 
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Download the free Pocket PC device emulator from Microsoft. It emulates ARM CPU. http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/downloads/Emulator/default.aspx
 
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There is a tutorial on how to set up the Emulator for ActiveSync [http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/faqs/5.0/emulator.htm here].
 
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'''Step 2''' - Installing the command line
 
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Download and install '''PocketCMD''' by SymbolicTools. Get it [http://www.symbolictools.de/public/pocketconsole/applications/PocketCMD here] (this site seems to be gone) but try here [http://www.mobile2day.de/platform_wince/device/CASIO/Cassiopeia+E-115/download.html?file=c112516.exe&prod=14571]
 
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To enable the console on newer devices (I needed it in my 6.1CE pro), you may to set the following registry value [http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=275019&highlight=console link]
 
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\Console\OutputTo -> 0
 
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Check [[WinCE_port_Hints]] for more details on programming under Windows CE platform.
 
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'''Step 3''' - Compiling
 
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A example file to compile:
 
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<pre>
 
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program test;
 
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{$apptype console}
 
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var
 
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  Str: string;
 
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begin
 
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  WriteLn('Software Developed with:');
 
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  WriteLn('The Free Pascal Compiler');
 
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  WriteLn('');
 
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  WriteLn('Please, enter your name:');
 
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  ReadLn(Str);
 
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  WriteLn('Your name is: ' + Str);
 
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end.
 
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</pre>
 
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Sample command line to compile <tt>test.pas</tt>:
 
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<tt>ppcrossarm test.pas</tt>
 
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You will get <tt>test.exe</tt> executable file. Copy it to your Windows CE device and run.
 
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[http://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/index.php/Windows_CE_Interface#Screenshots Here] is a screenshot of a software created this way.
 
  
 
== Debugging WinCE applications ==
 
== Debugging WinCE applications ==

Revision as of 20:18, 26 February 2012

WinCE Logo.png

This article applies to Windows CE only.

See also: Multiplatform Programming Guide

│ English (en) │ italiano (it) │ português (pt) │ русский (ru) │ 中文（台灣）‎ (zh_TW) │

WinCE port is quite complete and usable. The port was started and maintained by Yury Sidorov. Oliver (Oro06) ported WinCE API headers.

Status

  • FPC 2.2.0 or later supports WinCE target.
  • CPU support for WinCE target:
    • ARM CPU is fully supported. See arm-wince how to setup a crosscompiling enviroment
  There are readymade crosscompiler package available(See Lazarus download sources)
    • i386 CPU support was not tested too much and may contain bugs. Patches are welcome.Normally there is no readymade crosscompiler package for this CPU. See i386-wince howto setup a cross compile enviroment(Win32 Host)
  • The following platforms are supported:
    • Devices based on WinCE 3.0 or later
    • Pocket PC 2002 – WinCE version: 3.0
    • Pocket PC 2003 – WinCE version: 4.20
    • Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition – WinCE version: 4.21
    • Windows Mobile 5 – WinCE version: 5.0
    • Windows Mobile 6 – WinCE version: 5.2
    • Windows Mobile 6.5 - WinCE version: 5.2.1
  • RTL and FCL units are working.


Debugging WinCE applications

GDB can be used to debug your WinCE applications remotely via ActiveSync. Download GDB 6.4 for Win32 host and arm-wince target here: ftp://ftp.freepascal.org/pub/fpc/contrib/cross/gdb-6.4-win32-arm-wince.zip

Some hints:

  • Pass --tui parameter to GDB to enable TUI interface which makes debugging more comfortable.
  • Use unix line endings (LF only) in your pascal source files. Otherwise GDB will show sources incorrctly.

How to use:

First, make ActiveSync connection to your Pocket PC device.

Then launch gdb:

gdb --tui <your_executable_at_local_pc>

On gdb prompt type:

run or just r

GDB will copy your executable to the device in \gdb folder and run it.

Here is a short list of most needed GDB commands:

  • r args - run program with args arguments.
  • s - step into.
  • n - step over.
  • ni - step over instrument.step over assembly instruction.
  • c - continue execution.
  • br <function_name> - set a breakpoint at function_name. Use PASCALMAIN to set a breakpoint at program start.
  • br <source_file>:<line_number> - set a breakpoint at specified source line.
  • disas - show disassembly of current location.
  • x/fmt address - dump memory at address with special format.use "help x" for more informations.
  • bt - back trace.print back trace of the call stack.
  • where - Display the current line and function and the stack of calls that got you there.
  • q - Quit gdb.

To learn more how to use GDB read its documentation here: http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/documentation

Building FPC libraries

If you want to build libraries available with FPC just go to library folder and execute: 

PATH=C:\Programas\fpc\bin\i386-win32;C:\Programas\fpc\compiler;C:\Programas\arm
make OS_TARGET=wince CPU_TARGET=arm PP=ppcrossarm.exe

For example you want to build FCL. Go to fpc\fcl folder and execute the command above. You will get FCL compiled units in fpc\fcl\units\arm-wince.

See Also

Links

Here are some links related to ARM CPU Architecture

Contacts

Write any questions regarding WinCE port to Yury Sidorov

Retrieved from "http://wiki.freepascal.org/index.php?title=WinCE_port&oldid=55807"