| Cross-platform dev tool adds Windows Mobile |
Oct. 03, 2008
Zhmicro announced that its novel technology for creating cross-platform applications is now compatible with Windows CE and Windows Mobile. The "Z47 Virtual Processors" and Z++ Visual IDE (integrated development environment) allow creating apps that run unmodified on Windows desktops, Linux, and Palm devices, the company says.
According to Zhmicro, the so-called Z47 Virtual Processors -- now available for Windows CE, Windows Mobile, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, and Palm -- are actually software, occupying less than 500K of storage. Described by the company as "self-contained distributed operating systems," they are said to run applications without making system calls to the underlying operating system.
 
An unmodified .ZXE application runs on Windows desktops (left), Windows Mobile (right), and other platforms
(Click either to enlarge)
Applications for the Z47 environment are written using Zhmicro's Z++ Visual IDE, described as "capable of building mobile, desktop, and enterprise applications that require, or would be enhanced by, extending the capabilities of C++." Compiled into .ZXE files, the applications can run, absolutely unmodified, on any of the supported platforms, claims Zhmicro. As long as the virtual processor, itself a small executable, was installed on a device in advance, users simply launch applications as they normally would, the company adds.
The technology is reminiscent of Java virtual machines or other runtime environments. But, says Zhmicro, it chose the "virtual processor" moniker because Z47 makes significantly less use of the host operating system than such alternatives. The Z47 Virtual Processors handle processes, threads, signals, and IPC (inter process communication) all on their own, "a bit more efficiently than the host operating system would," the company claims.
As a result of this independence, developers using the Z++ Visual IDE to create applications do not need any knowledge of the target operating system, enjoying true "write once, run anywhere" functionality, says Zhmicro. Features touted for the IDE include:- A "highly intuitive" text editor, specifically designed to simplify and speed up the input of source code
- A full-featured compiler that directly compiles Z++ source to Z47 Virtual Processor instructions
- A "state-of-the-art" debugger that can report memory leaks
Further information
Zhmicro says the Z47 Virtual Processors are available for Windows CE, Windows Mobile, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, and Palm. They may be downloaded for free from the company's website, here.
As for the Z++ Visual IDE, this is also available now, priced at $3,500.
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