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{{OSLang|[[File:icon-CSharp.png|64x64px|link=|alt=]]|C#(.NET Compact Framework) is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by [[ Microsoft]] intended for developing applications for smart devices.}}
{{OSLang|[[File:icon-CSharp.png|64x64px|link=|alt=]]|C#(.NET Compact Framework) is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by [ Microsoft] intended for developing applications for smart devices.}}

Revision as of 15:39, 2 May 2012

C#(.NET Compact Framework) is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft intended for developing applications for smart devices.



C#(.NET Compact Framework) is capable of using the complete Phidget API, including events. We also provide example code in C#(.NET Compact Framework) for all Phidget devices.

C#(.NET Compact Framework) can be developed with the .NET Compact Framework. This frameworks is supported on devices with the Windows CE operating system. We provide instructions on how to set up your environment/compilers for Visual Studio 2005/2008/2010.

You can compare C#(.NET Compact Framework) with our other supported languages.

Quick Downloads

Just need the C#(.NET Compact Framework) documentation, drivers, libraries, and examples? Here they are:


Example Code

Libraries and Drivers

The source code for the Phidget Kernel driver for Windows CE is also provided:

Getting started with C#(.NET Compact Framework)


  • Make sure your libraries are properly linked
  • Ensure your Phidget is hooked up properly

To develop applications on Windows CE, you will need a Windows(2000/XP/Vista/7) system in order to perform development on. The drivers can be easily installed onto the Windows CE system by using the installers in the Libraries and Drivers section. You will also need the (.NET Compact Framework Libraries) on your development system to code against.

Windows (2000/XP/Vista/7)

Description of Library Files

C#(.NET Compact Framework) programs on Windows depend on the following files, which the installers above put onto your system:

  • phidget.dll is the Phidgets kernel driver.
  • Phidget21CE.NET.dll is the .NET(Compact Framework) Phidgets library.

If you do not want to use our installer, you can download the files. Inside the zip file, please use the files that pertain to your architecture. These files should be placed in the \Windows folder.

Visual Studio 2005/2008/2010

Use Our Examples

We will start by downloading the examples and building an executable for them on the development machine. Visual Studio will be used for development. We will then transfer the executable onto the Windows CE machine to run.

Please start by downloading the examples and unpack them into a folder. While these examples were written in Visual Studio 2005 and 2008, Visual Studio 2010 will easily open and upgrade them. To load all projects in Visual Studio, go to File → Open → Project, and open WindowsCE.NET Examples.sln or WindowsCE.NET Examples_vs2008.sln for Visual Studio 2005 and 2008, respectively.

If you are opening the Phidget examples in Visual Studio 2010, you will need to go through the Visual Studio Conversion Wizard to convert the 2005 or 2008 project.

Conversion Wizard

The easiest way to confirm that your environment is set up properly will be to compile and run the HelloWorld C#(.NET Compact Framework) example.

Start by setting the HelloWorld project as your start up project.

Next, build the example project. Right click the HelloWorld project and select Build to create an executable.


Then in Windows Explorer, navigate to the project directory\bin\Debug folder if you are targeting a debug configuration. The folder will be project directory\bin\Release if you are targeting a release configuration. Regardless of whether you are targeting debug or release, you will find an executable named HelloWorld.exe. Transfer this file onto the Windows CE system.

The only thing left to do is to run the example! Double click on the executable on the Windows CE system to run it.

This program will detect for devices that are attached/detached on the computer. Go ahead, and attach or detach your devices!

After confirming that the HelloWorld example is working, you can proceed to run the example for your device. If you aren't sure what the software example for your device is called, check the software object listed in the Getting Started Guide for your Device. Currently, the only devices we have example code is for the PhidgetInterfaceKit, PhidgetRFID, PhidgetTextLCD. Please ensure that you have set your start up project to be the one that matches your device before compiling.

Once you have the C#(.NET Compact Framework) examples running, we have a teaching section below to help you follow them.

Write Your Own Code

On the development computer, when you are building a project from scratch, or adding Phidget function calls to an existing project, you'll need to configure your environment to properly link the Phidget C#(.NET Compact Framework) libraries. To begin:

1. Generate a new smart device Windows CE C# Console Applications project with a descriptive name such as PhidgetTest.

New Project

2. Add a reference to the Phidget .NET library.

Add Reference

3. Download the Phidget21CE.NET.dll file. The file is contained in the zip file.

4. Under the .NET tab, select Phidget21CE.NET.dll.

Add Reference

5. Then, in your code, you will need to include the Phidget .NET library:

  using Phidgets;
  using Phidgets.Events;

The project now has access to the Phidget function calls and you are ready to begin coding.

The same teaching section which describes the examples also has further resources for programming your Phidget.

Follow the Examples

By following the instructions for your operating system and compiler above, you probably now have a working example and want to understand it better so you can change it to do what you want. This teaching section has resources for you to learn from the examples and write your own.

Your main reference for writing C# code will be our .NET API information, with syntax for all of our functions:

  • .NET API (This is the complete set of functions you have available for all Phidgets)


Here, you can find further examples. Coding in C#(.NET Compact Framework) is very similar to coding in C#, so you can take a look at our resources on the C# section.

Example Flow

The Hello World example has this general structure so you can follow along. We also have an in-depth general introduction to writing Phidget code (like open, read data, etc), as well as the .NET API for specific syntax:

// ----- Event and Other Functions -----

Create any Language-Specific Functions (exception handling)

Create General Attach, Detach, and Error Handling Functions:

On attach: Print Hello Message
On detach: Print Goodbye Message


In C#(.NET Compact Framework), you can name these event functions whatever you like. You will then pass them as function pointers to the Phidget .NET library below in the Main Code section. This hooks them into the actual events when they occur.
In the example code, the event functions common to all Phidgets are called things like AttachHandler() and DetachHandler(), etc.

Some event functions will be specific to each device, like when a tag is read on an RFID board, or when a sensor value changes on an Interface Kit. Other functions are given in the examples to show you more detail on using your Phidget. For example, DeviceInitialize() will show what needs to be set up for your Phidget before using it.

// ----- Main Code -----

Create Manager Software Object
Hook Event Functions created above to Device
Open Device

Wait for 'Enter' key character input
Handle on-going attach and detach events
Print Hello and Goodbye messages
Exit upon input

Close Device

Delete Device


Creating a Phidget software object in C#(.NET Compact Framework) is specific to the Phidget. For a Phidget Spatial, for example, this would involve creating a Spatial object. The examples show how to do this and other API functions.

The object provides device specific methods and properties which are available from the API for your specific Phidget.

Code Snippets

Common Problems and Solutions/Workarounds

All Operating Systems: The Phidgets.Events.ErrorEventHandler conflicts with System.IO.ErrorEventHandler.

using System.IO;
using Phidgets;
using Phidgets.Events;
spatial.Error += new ErrorEventHandler(spatial_Error);

void spatial_Error(object sender, ErrorEventArgs e){

The above code produces the following errors:

'ErrorEventHandler' is an ambiguous reference between 'System.IO.ErrorEventHandler' and 'Phidgets.Events.ErrorEventHandler'.


'ErrorEventArgs' is an ambiguous reference between 'System.IO.ErrorEventArgs' and 'Phidgets.Events.ErrorEventArgs'.

The error is due to the System.IO and Phidgets.Events namespaces both having a class called ErrorEventHandler.

To get around this issue, use the fully qualified namespace when referring to the ErrorEventHandler and ErrorEventArgs classes:

using System.IO;
using Phidgets;
using Phidgets.Events;
spatial.Error += new Phidgets.Events.ErrorEventHandler(spatial_Error);

void spatial_Error(object sender, Phidgets.Events.ErrorEventArgs e){