Flash Storage; Ffs Partitions; Working With Ffs Partitions - Symbol PDT 8000 Product Reference Manual

PDT 8000 Series with Windows

Flash Storage

In addition to the RAM-based storage standard on Windows CE terminals, the mobile
computer is also equipped with a non-volatile Flash-based storage area which can store
data (partitions) that can not be corrupted by a cold boot. This Flash area is divided into two
categories: Flash File System (FFS) Partitions and Non-FFS Partitions.

FFS Partitions

The terminal includes three FFS partitions. These partitions appear to the terminal as a
hard drive that the OS file system can write files to and read files from. Data is retained even
if power is removed.
The three FFS partitions appear as three separate folders in the Windows CE file system
and are as follows:
• Platform: The Platform FFS partition contains Symbol-supplied programs and
Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs). This FFS is configured to include DLLs that control
system operation. Since these drivers are required for basic terminal operation,
only experienced users should modify the content of this partition.
• Application: The Application FFS partition is used to store application programs
needed to operate the terminal.
• Data: The Data FSS partition contains user data files generated by your custom
programs.

Working with FFS Partitions

Because the FFS partitions appear as folders under the Windows CE file system, they can
be written to and read like any other folder. For example, an application program can write
data to a file located in the Application folder just as it would to the Windows folder.
However, the file in the Application folder is in non-volatile storage and is not lost on a cold
boot (e.g., when power is removed for a long period of time).
Standard tools such as ActiveSync can be used to copy files to and from the FFS partitions.
They appear as the "Application" and "Platform" folders to the ActiveSync explorer. This is
useful when installing applications on the mobile computer. Applications stored in the
Application folder are retained even when the mobile computer is cold booted, just as the
PDT 8000 Demo program is retained in memory.
There are two device drivers included in the Windows CE image to assist developers in
configuring the mobile computer following a cold boot: RegMerge and CopyFiles.
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Mobile 2003 Software for Pocket PCs Product Reference Guide