I've been given the opportunity to develop an application to collect data including scanning and generating bar codes on a Datalogic ELF. The os is windows mobile 6.5, and the SDK supports java, however there seems to be very little in the way of examples or help etc. I would be grateful for any advice, links, tutorials for Java development.
Datalogic does not offer there SDK for JAVA only. Did you download and install there SDK from http://www.datalogic.com/eng/support-services/automatic-data-capture/downloads/software-utilities-sw-2.html?search_cat=27&search_prod=144.
The site states SDK for C++/.Net/JAVA and I assume it is coming with usage examples.
Further on you need a JVM runtime installed on the device. Does it really come with a JVM pre-installed? Normally you have to buy and install CrEme or J9 JVM for handheld devices running WEH6.5.
I would go with .NET (WEH65 comes with CF 3.5) or C++ and not install an additional Runtime, except for you are really in the need to do it in JAVA. Mostly the JAVA support of handheld SDKs is very limitted.