Data type compatibility issue between the Windows Mobile CEDB and EDB APIs

As many of you know, the Windows Mobile database API CEDB has been deprecated and is being replaced by EDB. The EDB API is much more performant, robust and secure then CEDB and has been engineered with CEDB compatibility in mind. An interesting sidebar is that EDB is actually the storage management subsystem of SQL Mobile. Being at the heart of SQL Mobile ensures that the EDB API is getting a lot of attention by Microsoft. J

Although maintaining compatibility with CEDB was an important goal of EDB, the other goals (increased performance, robustness, and security) make maintaining 100% compatibility impossible.

One key difference was recently reported regarding the CEVT_FILETIME data type. EDB requires that data of type CEVT_FILETIME be a valid file time value when passed to CeWriteRecordProps . Previously, CEDB did not validate the value passed and would accept invalid values. This may be of concern if your application used an invalid date value such as 0 to identify special case dates, etc.

Currently, this compatibility issues is not documented; however, in an effort to simplify the process of porting applications between CEDB and EDB, I've added a CEDB to EDB Migration Issues page to the Channel 9 Windows Mobile Wiki. This is just like the Pocket Outlook Migration Issues page added to the Windows Mobile Wiki last week.

Currently, there are only a couple of CEDB/EDB compatibility issues listed on the Wiki but it seems pretty likely that more will arise over time. The Channel 9 Windows Mobile Wiki is a community resource both referenced and maintained by the community. So if you are aware of any other CEDB/EDB compatibility issues please add them to the CEDB to EDB Migration Issues page.

In addition to the CEDB to EDB Migration Issues and Pocket Outlook Migration Issue pages, the Windows Mobile Wiki also includes a general Migration Issues FAQ page so you'll definitely want to check that out before migrating your application to Windows Mobile 5.0 from earlier versions. And as always, if you have anything to share about migration issues or any other aspect of Windows Mobile development including any tips or tricks you might know, please visit the Windows Mobile Wiki and add them. There are already a number of categories on the Wiki you can use and you can also add new categories off of the Wiki home page if you don't see a category that fits your idea.