How to Create an SDK for a Custom Platform

As a developer of a custom Microsoft Windows CE–based platform, you can provide an application developer with the information necessary to develop an application specifically for your platform. You can use Microsoft Platform Builder to generate a software development kit (SDK) for your platform.

An SDK for a custom platform supports the operating system (OS) features that you have chosen to include in your custom platform. By providing an SDK that is specific to your custom platform, you can accurately present to the application developer all of the capabilities and limitations of your platform. Other SDKs may not support all of the features supported by your platform, or they may support features that are not included in your platform.

To track your progress in the following table, select the check box that corresponds to each step.

  Step Topic
1. Open an existing platform, or create a new platform. How to Use the IDE to Create, Customize, and Build a Platform
2. Use the Export SDK Wizard to configure basic settings for the SDK. When you have completed the wizard, choose Done. Exporting an SDK
3. Select the CPU and the OS configuration that you want the SDK to support. Selecting the Supported OS Image for an SDK
4. Configure and customize the SDK.

For example, you may want to add files to the SDK, or you may want to support the Emulator in the SDK. Select the topics that are relevant to the customizations that you want to make.

Custom Transport Layer Additions to an SDK

Emulator Support for an SDK

OEM End User License Agreement

OEM Help Files

Startup Server Additions to an SDK

User-defined Files in an SDK

5. Build the SDK. Building an SDK
6. Install the SDK on the development workstation that will be used for application development.

After the SDK is installed, the application developer can use the SDK to create applications that run on your custom platform.

Installing an SDK on an Application Development Platform

If you choose to build the SDK for Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0, you can create an application in eMbedded Visual C++ using the SDK. For more information about using the SDK to create an application in eMbedded Visual C++, see Building an eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0 Application with an Imported SDK.

See Also

Platform Development How-to Topics | Software Development Kit Customization

 Last updated on Friday, October 08, 2004

© 1992-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.