Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (Compact 2013) is a 32-bit, small-footprint, multi-threaded, preemptive multi-tasking and hard real-time operating system (OS).  Formerly known as Windows CE, Compact 2013 is designed for portable handheld, mobile and embedded devices, and engineered to support multiple processor architectures, including x86 and different derivatives of ARM.

With the initial version released in 1996, Compact 2013 is the result of over 16 years of continuous development and improvement.  This is a mature and robust OS adopted by key companies worldwide to build broad range of embedded devices, serving different vertial markets including engineering, industrial-automation, home-automation, manufacturing, medical, portable-navigation, retail-hospitality, robotics, security, Transportation and more.

As a plug-in to the Visual Studio 2012 (VS2012) integrated development environment (IDE), Compact 2013 enables developer to use and leverage the same developer friendly environment that support application development for Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows Phone, Windows server, Azure and the latest in Web application development.

Developer with existing knowledge using C++, C# and Visual Basic programming languages to develop application for the desktop, server and web can easily adopt their existing programming skill to develop embedded application for Compact 2013 devices.

Whether you are reading this book as the result of working on a Compact 2013 project or  personal motivation to learn new technology, it's recommended that you read through this introduction chapter thoroughly, which provides information about the contents covered in this book and preparation needed to follow and work through the sample projects.

Learn by doing is one of the best approach to learn.  The content in this book is put together to help developer minimize the time and effort needed to learn and engage in Compact 2013 development.  Throughout the chapters in this book, short, simple and easy to follow examples are presented.  The complete, working and tested source codes for these examples are provided as the accompanied codes for this book and is available for download via the following URL:

http://www.embedded101.com/Compact2013Book/    

Understanding the long-term advantage can motivate our willingness to learn, help enhance and speed up the learning process.  While the chapters in the introduction section talks about the embedded markets and opportunities for Compact 2013, which is not technical oriented, it's recommended that you read through these contents to better understand the Compact 2013 marketplace.

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