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5    Palm OS Cobalt Simulator User Interface Reference

Palm OS® Cobalt Simulator Guide

Palm OS Cobalt Version 6.1

This chapter provides a reference for the Palm OS® Cobalt Simulator user interface elements.

Menu Reference Summary ^TOP^

The Palm OS Cobalt Simulator menus include:

Displaying the Palm OS Cobalt Simulator Menu Items ^TOP^

Right-click (use mouse button 2) on the Palm OS Cobalt Simulator screen to display the menu items.

Figure 5.1  Palm OS Cobalt Simulator menu items

Reset Menu ^TOP^

Use the Reset menu to perform a reset of the current simulation session.

Soft ^TOP^

Performs a soft reset of the current simulation session. This is equivalent to pressing the reset button on the back of a handheld.

Hard ^TOP^

Performs a hard reset of the current simulation session. A hard reset erases all data in the simulation session, restoring it to the equivalent of a new handheld.

No Notify ^TOP^

Performs a "no notify" reset of the current simulation session. A "no notify" reset is a soft reset that does not send the sysAppLaunchCmdSystemReset notification to applications. This is equivalent to holding down the "Page Up" key while pressing the reset button on the back of a handheld.

View Menu ^TOP^

Use the View menu to view information about the installed databases, the contents of the heap, or the user interface events.

Databases ^TOP^

Opens the Databases dialog box, shown in Figure 5.2, which lists the databases included in the current simulator session.

Figure 5.2  View > Databases dialog box

Using the Databases Dialog Box

  • Click on the plus sign icons to view the details of a database.
  • Click on the minus sign icons to close the details view of a database.
  • For databases that have contents, click on a record to view the record's contents in the right view pane.
  • Right-click a database (use mouse button 2) to open the Export Database dialog box and save the contents of the database.

NOTE: The dimmed databases in the Databases dialog box are the read-only databases.

Heaps ^TOP^

Opens the Heaps dialog box, shown in Figure 5.3, which displays the contents of the heaps for the current simulator session.

Figure 5.3  View > Heaps dialog box

Using the Heaps Dialog Box

  • Click on a process ID number to show the heaps in that process.
  • Click on a heap number to show the chunks in that heap.
  • Click on a chunk number to view the contents of a chunk in the bottom view pane.

Events ^TOP^

Opens the Events dialog box, shown in Figure 5.4, which displays the user interface events for the current simulator session.

Figure 5.4  View > Events dialog box

Using the Events Dialog Box

  • Use the View > Lock menu to keep the events information from being updated.
  • Use the View > Unlock menu to allow the events information to be updated.
  • Use the View > Filters menu to select the type of events you want displayed in the event viewer.
  • Use Ctrl-A to select all the events information.
  • Use the Edit > Clear menu to clear the events information that is displayed.
  • Use the Edit > Copy menu or Ctrl-C to copy the events information to your system clipboard.

Install Menu ^TOP^

Use the Install > Database menu to install PRC and PDB files. The Install > Database menu displays the Install Database dialog box, shown in Figure 5.5.

Figure 5.5  Install Database dialog box

Using the Install Database Dialog Box

  • To install a single database, select a PRC or PDB file, and click Open.
  • To install multiple databases, use Shift-click to select multiple PRC and PDB files, and click Open.

Settings Menu ^TOP^

Use the Settings menu to change the settings for the current simulation session.


NOTE: If you select high values for display resolution and color depth, the Simulator session may run out of system memory and display an error dialog box. To prevent this problem, first increase the memory setting for the Simulator session by selecting Settings > Memory.

Display > Resolution ^TOP^

Set the screen resolution for this simulation session.

1.5x Density

  • 240x240 108dpi - Select this option to simulate 1.5x density with a static input area.
  • 240x320 108dpi (QVGA) - Select this option to simulate 1.5x density with a dynamic input area.

2x Density

  • 320x320 144dpi - Select this option to simulate 2x density with a static input area.
  • 320x350 144dpi - Select this option to simulate 2x density with a small screen dynamic input area.
  • 320x480 144dpi (HVGA) - Select this option to simulate 2x density with a dynamic input area.

3x Density

  • 408x640 216dpi (VGA) - Select this option to simulate 3x density.

NOTE: If you change the setting for Resolution, Palm OS Cobalt Simulator performs a soft reset.

Display > Orientations ^TOP^

Set the screen orientation and rotation for this simulation session.

Orientation

  • Portrait Dominant - Select this option to simulate a portrait orientation.
  • Landscape Dominant - Select this option to simulate a landscape orientation

NOTE: If you change the orientation selection, Palm OS Cobalt Simulator performs a soft reset.

Rotation

  • No Hardware Rotation
  • 90 Degree Rotation
  • 180 Degree Rotation
  • 270 Degree Rotation

NOTE: If you change the rotation selections, tap the screen rotation icon in the status bar to apply the rotation settings.

Display > Color Depth ^TOP^

  • Set the color depth for this simulation session.8 Bit (Grayscale)
  • 32 Bit (Color)

NOTE: If you change the setting for Color Depth, Palm OS Cobalt Simulator performs a soft reset.

NOTE: For best results, set your PC monitor to display 16-bit color or higher.

Display > Renderer ^TOP^

Sets the graphics renderer simulation.

  • x86 (Fastest) - Select this option to use the Windows-based renderer. This option is the default because it is the fastest option.
  • Emulated ARM - Select this option to use an emulated version of the ARM renderer. This renderer uses the same ARM instructions that are used on ARM-based devices. This option has the slowest performance.
  • Reference - Select this option to use the reference renderer. This option uses a simple generic rendering implementation that is designed to be correct rather than fast. However, in some cases, this reference renderer may not be identical to the ARM renderer.

NOTE: Independent of the Renderer setting, the Palm OS graphics subsystem may issue a warning message about the application not being reactive to updates while you are using Simulator to do step-by-step debugging. To disable this warning, set the variable INHIBIT_UPDATE_TIMEOUT_WARNING=1.

Display > Skin ^TOP^

Select Settings > Display > Skin > Load to specify a skin file for this simulation session.

Select Settings > Display > Skin >Basic to use the basic skin file.

Display > Magnification ^TOP^

Sets the scaling size for the simulation session display:

  • 1:1 (This is the default selection.)
  • 2:1
  • 3:1
  • 4:1

Display > Always on Top ^TOP^

Indicates whether the Simulator window should stay on top when you switch to other application windows.

Communication Ports ^TOP^

Displays the Communication Ports dialog box, shown in Figure 5.6, so that you can change the communication port settings for the current simulation session. For more information on setting communication ports, see "Using Communication Functions."

Figure 5.6  Communication ports dialog box

Using the Communication Ports Dialog Box

Cradle
Use the Cradle selection to select the transport and port Palm OS Cobalt Simulator uses for Cradle communication.
The Cradle selection defines the port that Palm OS Cobalt Simulator uses to simulate a connection to a cradle or similar cable connection.
Infrared
Use the Infrared selection to indicate which transport and port Palm OS Cobalt Simulator uses for infrared communication. For additional information, see "Using Communication Functions."
68K Debugger
Use the 68K Debugger selection to indicate which transport and port Palm OS Cobalt Simulator uses for communication with a 68K-based debugging tool such as Palm Debugger, Palm OS Debugger, or the CodeWarrior Debugger. For additional information, see "Using External Debug Tools with Palm OS Cobalt Simulator."
Virtual Phone
Use the Virtual Phone selection to indicate which transport and port Palm OS Cobalt Simulator uses for communication with Virtual Phone.

Networking > Standard Palm OS TCP/IP ^TOP^

Indicates that Socket API calls use the standard Palm OS TCP/IP implementation.


NOTE: To use the host ethernet adapter, you must install the WinPcap library. To get the WinPcap library, visit this web site: http://winpcap.polito.it

Networking > Winsock-Based STREAMS Module ^TOP^

Indicates that Socket API calls use your PC's ethernet card to simulate an ethernet connection, using the Palm OS TCP/IP implementation.

If you have difficulty establishing communication between Palm OS Cobalt Simulator and your host PC, you may need to change your Windows ethernet driver properties. Using the System Property's Device Manager, open your Ethernet Controller's properties pages, and disable the RX Checksum Offload and TX Checksum Offload features.

Networking > Winsock-Based SocketLib Replacement ^TOP^

Indicates that Socket API calls are redirected to the Windows TCP/IP API (Winsock) rather than the Palm OS implementation.

Dock Status ^TOP^

Indicates whether to simulate a connection with a hardware device such as a modem, cradle, or other peripheral.

  • Attached To Modem - Indicates that the handheld is connected to a modem.
  • Attached To Dock - Indicates that the handheld is connected, typically to a serial cradle.
  • Attached To USB Cradle - Indicates that the handheld is connected to a USB cradle.
  • Attached To USB Peripheral - Indicates that the handheld is connected to a USB peripheral (not a cradle).
  • Attached To Serial Peripheral - Indicates that the handheld is connected to a serial peripheral (not a cradle).

Memory ^TOP^

Sets the RAM size for this simulation session:

  • 16 MB
  • 32 MB
  • 64 MB
  • 128 MB
  • 256 MB

NOTE: If you change the value of the RAM size setting, Palm OS Cobalt Simulator performs a hard reset.

Figure 5.7  PACE Settings dialog box

  • Check Call DbgBreak on 68K Program Entry to enable an automatic DbgBreak() call when a 68K application is launched.

Battery ^TOP^

Displays the Battery dialog box, shown in Figure 5.8, so that you can change the simulated battery settings.

Figure 5.8  Battery dialog box

Using the Battery Dialog Box

  • Select the Kind of battery you want to simulate from the supported list:
    • Alkaline: a hydrous alkaline (non-rechargeable) battery
    • NiCad: a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery
    • LiIon: a rechargeable lithium ion battery
    • RechAlk: a rechargeable alkaline battery
    • NiMH: a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery
    • LiIon1400: a rechargeable lithium ion battery with a capacity of 1400 mAh (milliamperes hours)
  • The battery State is dependent on the Level selected:

State

Level

Normal

100 to 21

Low

20 to 11

Critical

10 to 6

Shutdown

5 to 0

HotSync Name ^TOP^

Select HotSync Name to enter a user name for simulating a HotSync operation.

Enable Sound ^TOP^

Select Enable Sound to enable sound simulation for this simulation session.

Traces ^TOP^

Displays the Traces Settings dialog box, shown in Figure 5.9.

Figure 5.9  Traces Settings dialog box

This dialog box allows you to redirect trace output to any of the following:

  • None - Discards trace output.
  • Palm OS Reporter - Send trace output to the Palm OS Reporter tool. For more information about Palm OS Reporter, see Chapter 4, "Using Palm OS Reporter."
  • Text file - Writes trace output to the target file specified.
  • stderr - Writes trace output to standard error.

Storage Menu ^TOP^

Use the Storage menu to load and save a storage snapshot file (SSF file), to export database files from Simulator, or to mount a virtual file system (VFS) volume.

Load ^TOP^

Opens the Load Storage Heap Snapshot dialog box, shown in Figure 5.10, so that you can load the storage heap with contents that were previously saved to a storage snapshot file (SSF file).

Figure 5.10  Load Storage Heap Snapshot dialog box


NOTE: You can load a storage snapshot file that has been created on the same PC. However, the storage snapshot file is not portable to another PC. Palm OS Simulator's method for calculating locations within memory is dependent on the PC's version of the Windows OS and on the PC machine configuration.

Save ^TOP^

Opens the Save Storage Heap Snapshot dialog box, shown in Figure 5.11, so that you can save the current contents of the storage heap to a storage snapshot file (SSF file).

Figure 5.11  Save Storage Heap Snapshot dialog box

Export Database ^TOP^

Opens the Export Database dialog box, so that you can select the database that you want to export.

Volumes ^TOP^

Opens the Volumes dialog box, shown in Figure 5.12, so that you can mount or unmount a virtual file system (VFS) volume.

Figure 5.12  Volumes dialog box

Screenshot Menu ^TOP^

Opens the Save Screenshot As dialog box, shown in Figure 5.13, so that you can save the current Simulator display as a bitmap image.

Figure 5.13  Save Screenshot As dialog box

About Menu ^TOP^

Use the About menu to get release information about Palm OS Cobalt Simulator.

Exit Menu ^TOP^

Use the Exit menu to exit Palm OS Cobalt Simulator.

When you exit Palm OS Cobalt Simulator, the current option values are written to the file palmsim.ini for the next time you start Simulator. For more information on using palmsim.ini, see Chapter 2, "Using the Initialization File."

Keyboard Equivalents Reference ^TOP^

Because it is more difficult to use the mouse in place of a handheld stylus, Palm OS Cobalt Simulator provides keyboard equivalents for many functions.

Hardware Buttons ^TOP^

The keyboard equivalents for handheld hardware buttons is similar to the key mapping recognized by Palm OS Emulator.

Table 5.1  Keyboard equivalents for hardware buttons  

Hardware Button

Keyboard Equivalent

Power (on/off)

F5

Hardware button 1 (Date Book application)

F1

Hardware button 2 (Address Book application)

F2

Hardware button 3 (To Do List application)

F3

Hardware button 4 (Memo Pad application)

F4

Scroll up

PgUp

Scroll down

PgDn

HotSync Operation button

F6

Additional Keyboard Functions ^TOP^

In addition to hardware button equivalents, Palm OS Cobalt Simulator provides the following functions that can be invoked from the keyboard.

Table 5.2  Palm OS Cobalt Simulator keyboard functions  

Function

Keyboard Equivalent

Display the pop-up menu.

Ctrl + A

Enter the menu command stroke.

Ctrl + C

Enter a confirmation character.

Ctrl + D

Tap the Applications icon.

Ctrl + E

Display the onscreen keyboard (Tap the "abc" in the input area).

Ctrl + F

Tap the Find icon.

Ctrl + I

Tap the Calculator icon.

Ctrl + K

Enter a linefeed character.

Ctrl + M

Tab to the next field.

Ctrl + N

Tab to the previous field.

Ctrl + P

Perform a soft reset.

Ctrl + R

Perform a hard reset.

Ctrl + Shift + R

Enter the 68K debugger.

This function is applicable only when you are running a 68K application.

Ctrl + Pause