The beta 1 release of the next embedded version of the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system, code-named "Whistler Embedded", is now available to developers.
Microsoft says Whistler Embedded is a knocked-down version of its next operating system. Developers will be able to select the specific technology components they require for their devices.
The beta 1 embedded version is designed to run devices such as dedicated Windows-based terminals, advanced set-top boxes and retail point-of-sale kiosks directly. Until now, Windows has always had to piggyback on a separate operating system that actually runs the device.
Packaged with the Whistler Embedded version are a set of development products including Target Designer, Component Designer, Database Analyzer and Target Analyzer.
Target Designer enables embedded developers to select the necessary feature components from a database of all available Windows components, add them to the run-time configuration and generate the customised operating system image.
Component Designer enables developers to design their own custom operating system components and add them to the run-time configuration, and gives them the capacity to add additional custom applications to the run-time configuration for the flexibility they need to build embedded systems.
Database Manager allows embedded developers to import custom-built operating system components into the "Whistler Embedded" database repository. It also provides additional utilities for database management tasks such as changing server location, viewing database objects and managing platforms and repositories.
Target Analyzer aids developers in the design process by providing system information, such as the critical device drivers in the intended target system.
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