Microsoft announced a certification exam it says can validate the skills and experience of Windows Embedded Compact 7 developers, awarding them MCTS (Microsoft Certification Technology Specialist) status. The Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 7 Development exam, #70-181, is available now, the company says.
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The exam, whose price was not stated, must be scheduled in advance, and taken on a secure workstation. Those who pass it receive MCTS (Microsoft Certification Technology Specialist) status.
According to Microsoft, the test is intended for industry professionals who are developing for embedded devices by using Windows Embedded Compact 7. Candidates should also have at least one year of experience using Windows Embedded CE and six months of experience using Windows Embedded Compact 7, the company says.
The Windows Embedded Compact 7 Development exam will measure the following skills, according to Microsoft:
Designing and Configuring Operating Systems (21 percent)
* Choose and create catalog items.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: adding functionality tothe catalog, selecting catalog items for an operating system image,selecting non-catalog project settings by using the UI, managing catalogitem dependencies
* Integrate third-party binary applications.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: identifying third-partyapplication dependencies, adding third-party items to the catalog
* Prepare the platform for application development.
o This objective may include but is not limited to: creating SDKs, adding a subproject to the OSDesign
Customizing Board Support Packages (BSPs) and Drivers (20 percent)
* Set up BSP configuration files.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: Registry, BIB, and DAT,identifying SYSGEN dependencies and filtering them in REG and BIB files,using environment variables in REG and BIB files, using sections andflags in BIB files
* Customize the OEM Adaptation Layer (OAL) and the Kernel Independent Transport Layer (KITL).
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: adding I/O Control (IOCTL)to the OAL, configuring KITL parameters, extending OAL requiredfunctions
* Develop drivers.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: developing a streaminterface driver, managing driver thread priorities, marshalingpointers, choosing between user mode and kernel mode, implementing aninterrupt service thread (IST), implementing power management,configuring driver flags in the registry
* Customize the bootloader.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: passing arguments betweenthe bootloader and the OAL, preparing the hardware to boot an image
Building Images (20 percent)
* Build an image.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: building images by usingthe Platform Builder UI, building images by using the command line,distinguishing between different build commands, choosing a buildconfiguration
* Modify build system files.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: adding a DIRS file,defining common settings in SOURCES files, creating a SOURCES file for anew driver, cloning PUBLIC/PRIVATE code
* Troubleshoot build errors.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: investigating build logfiles to identify errors, using targeted build steps to debug builderrors, investigating build system logic
Booting and Debugging Images (23 percent)
* Download images to devices.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: adding and attachingdevices to connectivity options, selecting the correct transport in thebootloader, troubleshooting early stage (download, connectivity, bootup)errors
* Debug the platform by using the debugger.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: setting breakpoints,inspecting variables by using the Watch window, inspecting memory,viewing callstacks, controlling debug zones, issuing commands to TargetControl
* Debug the platform by using remote tools.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: verifying registrysettings, deploying files remotely, taking screenshots of a deviceremotely
Testing and Profiling Performance (16 percent)
* Test system functionality by using the Windows CE Test Kit (WCETK).
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: connecting the WCETK to adevice, running tests remotely and locally, configuring tests
* Debug performance issues by using Profiler.
o Thisobjective may include but is not limited to: enabling a profiler in theimage, selecting correct profile options, collecting profile data,interpreting profile data
Microsoft says its MCP (Microsoft Certification Program) is now over 17 years old, having certified more than four million IT professionals and developers in products that include Windows NT, Exchange, SQL Server, Windows XP, Vista, and more. Such certifications are “an excellent proof point of IT skills when competing for consulting opportunities, jobs, or advancement,” the company claims.
Previous MCP certification exams have included one for Windows CE 6.0 (subsequently supplemented by a downloadable, 358-page book for those interested in taking it), and one for Windows Embedded Standard 2009 that was again joined by a downloadable prep kit.
Background
Windows Embedded Compact 7 is an upgrade to Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3, released in September 2009. R3 already was said to include some of Compact 7’s new capabilities, such as:
* an “out-of-browser, native code implementation” of Microsoft’s Silverlight technology, allowing developers to “dramatically improve user interface capabilities”
* New touch and gesture capabilities, including flicking and scrolling
* PDF viewing capabilities, supplementing the existing viewers for Microsoft Office documents
* Easier connection to Windows 7 desktops via Windows 7 Device Stage
* Connection Manager, making it simpler for programs to access every type of connectivity available to a device
According to Microsoft, Windows Embedded Compact 7 builds on the above by adding a “powerful update” to the bundled Internet Explorer web browser, including support for Adobe’s Flash Player 10.1. The OS also includes a “simplified media player with tons of codecs [and] easy library management,” plus the ability to share content with DLNA-compliant devices, the company says.
Last June, Microsoft cited new features including multiple browser display sizes, an updated UI for the medium-sized display, a full-screen feature for the small display, multitouch support, and a new Internet Options control panel. Now supporting ARMv6 and ARMv7 architectures, Windows Embedded Compact 7 also has updated fonts to match those in Windows 7, Microsoft added at the time.
Microsoft says Compact 7 has resources “to help bring high-performing, highly reliable and differentiated specialty devices to market quicker.” Supported tools include Platform Builder, Visual Studio, Expression Blend, and Silverlight for Windows Embedded, the company says.
According to Microsoft, Windows Embedded Compact 7 allows user interfaces to be created by designers using Expression Blend, complete with “cool-looking” features such as animations, alpha-blending, timelines, etc. Contained in .XAP files, the UIs may then be handed to developers, who can import them automatically into Platform Builder or Visual Studio, Hall adds.
The Asus Eee Pad EP101TC
(Click to enlarge)
Windows Embedded Compact 7 was being shown off last year running on the Eee Pad EP101TC (above), a 10-inch tablet from Asus. That particular device has since been reannounced and switched to Google’s Android operating system. Meanwhile, Microsoft told attendees at a Consumer Electronics Show (CES) press conference in January that a forthcoming upgrade to “big Windows” will run on SoC (system-on-chip) architectures from Intel, AMD, and ARM licensees such as Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments.
Observers believe, however, that it will take a year or more to develop an ARM version of Windows 8 (or whatever it winds up being called). Until that time, Windows Embedded Compact 7 will be Microsoft’s premier offering for ARM devices.