There are multiple options to develop application for Compact 2013 device, such as:

·         Develop native code application, in Visual C++, as a Visual Studio 2012 project

·         Develop managed code application, in C# or Visual Basic, as a Visual Studio 2012 project to.

·         Develop native code application, in C or C++, as an OS design subproject.

With an SDK, it’s possible to create native and managed code application for Compact 2013 device from the Visual Studio 2012 IDE without an OS design or target device. 

However, a Compact 2013 target device with a properly configured OS runtime image is needed to test and debug the application.

Refer to chapter 13, which talks about application development, for more information.