SmartApplication

The first version of VS.NET did not include the capabilities to create mobile applications. To do so, we had to use two add-ons, MMIT and SDE. Both of these kinds of applications are now available with the new VS.NET 2003 (just released on the May 2003 shipment of MSDN).

M.M.I.T. stands for Microsoft Mobile Internet Toolkit used to create mobile web applications. Sometimes called thin clients as they render HTML through a web browser. All processing happens on the server so you have the complete .NET Framework to work with. The biggest plus is there are a HUGE amount of devices (approximately 200 as of March 2003). The disadvantage is that you must be connected at all times.

S.D.E. stands for Smart Device Extensions used to create mobile windows applications. Sometimes called thick mobile clients as they are windows applications with a richer user interface. All processing happens on the device via the .NET Compact Framework (a much smaller, 1MB subset of the 21 MB framework). You are limited to Pocket PC/ Windows CE operating system devices. You can work offline by serializing the data to an XML file. When you're ready, rehydrate your changes from the file and click save to sync up with the database. You can have SQL Server CE installed on the machine (this requires extra space).

Both types of mobile applications have their advantages and disadvantages as they are designed with different purposes in mind. Our recommendation is it depends . To help make the decision, we present the following tables. We encourage you to cross-reference their features to determine what best fits your circumstance.

MMIT - Thin Clients

Advantage Disadvantage

Support a broad range of devices Does not work offline

Browser access No local processing power

MMIT handles device differences Limited user interface

Takes advantage of the complete .NET framework

SDE - Thick Clients

Advantage Disadvantage

The best way to do online or offline Limited Device support

Takes full advantage of Pocket PC

Excellent integration with the SQL Server CE

Powerful Local Processing

Rich Graphics and multi-media

Constraint by the .NET Compact Framework

Taken from Woody Pewitt's webcast on March 7th, 2003 entitled Developing Pocket PC Applications. To view the webcast Click Here