How do I start programming for Symbian OS?

0.5: You already know some C++ basics, right?

This basically assumes that you know the difference between an IDE, a compiler and a linker and you do not assume that there is only one IDE and one tool chain that can ever be used. You should also know that C++ is not [only] STL and that multi-threading is not the solution for all problems. ;)

How many mistakes can you find in the C++ basics article?

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1: Do you have a smartphone to test your application on?

If not … no problem, skip to Section 3 below and select one of the SDKs, e.g the latest. Please note that usually the complexity of the SDK increases with each new release and that the pool of information that can help you solve the problems will be more limited for the new SDKs.

Installing a SDK will allow you to test your created applications in a simulated S60 environment.

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2: Read device's specifications on Forum Nokia's Device Specifications page.

• If the document says "Developer Platform: S60 3rd Edition" then the SDK for that device is S60 3rd SDK MR (an improved version of the S60 3rd SDK).

• If the document says "Developer Platform: S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1" then the SDK for that device is S60 3rd SDK FP1.

• If you have two devices, one based on "S60 3rd Edition" while the other one on "S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1" the recommended SDK is S60 3rd SDK MR, applications build with it would work on both devices (backward compatibility).

• If you have a device based on "S60 2nd Edition, Feature Pack X" and one based on "S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack X" you cannot use one SDK for both devices due to binary and source compatibility breaks.

More details about the S60 Platform, the existing versions and the differences between them is to be found here

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3: Open the SDK download page

...but DO NOT download the SDK yet!

Locate the "Release notes" section, download and read the release notes corresponding to your choice of the SDK. Please note that for one SDK release there might be different versions of it, providing support for various toolsets. Read them all before making a decision.

From this document you will learn:

• if you need to have installed some 3rd party software like ActivePerl and Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

• which are the supported compilers (some freeware others under license)

• which are the supported IDEs (some freeware others under license)

• known issues (e.g. installation problems and known bugs or limitations)

Note: At the time of writing this article the tools and SDKs provided by Nokia are not intended to be used on Microsoft's Windows Vista (tm) operating system. Unofficial support from the developer community can be found in this wiki in pages like: Moving to Windows Vista.

Once you know which configuration suits you best ...

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4: Download the SDK, tools and IDE of your choice.

Install the packages (pre-requisites first, then the IDE and finally the SDK(s)). Install the tools in the suggested default location unless you are confident that you can handle some configuration tweaks.

Make sure that each individual tool works( e.g. by calling it from the command line with the "-version" option) and that you have the minimum required version. (Not all these tools will be in your system, make a note of what you find and re-evaluate the situation after completing step 5 below.)

C:\>perl -version

This is perl, v5.6.1 built for MSWin32-x86-multi-thread
(with 1 registered patch, see perl -V for more detail)

Copyright 1987-2001, Larry Wall

Binary build 638 provided by ActiveState Corp. http://www.ActiveState.com
ActiveState is a division of Sophos.
Built Apr 13 2004 19:24:21

... snip ...

Note: Use the ActivePerl version recommended by the SDK release notes or the one recommended by Carbide. The latest ActivePerl releases are not compatible with the SDKs.

C:\>java -version
java version "1.5.0_05"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_05-b05)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_05-b05, mixed mode, sharing)

Note: The SDKs may not work by default with the latest JRE releases (e.g. JRE 6.0, aka JRE 1.6). Whether you have problems with it or just as a preventive measure you may want to have a look at the following discussion board thread: Cannot start ECMT Manager

C:\>mwccsym2.exe -version

Nokia Codewarrior C/C++ Compiler for Windows/x86.
Copyright (c) 2005, Nokia Corporation
All rights reserved.
Version 3.2.3 build 446 (Build 446)
Runtime Built: Aug 15 2005 08:07:54

Note: The Nokia Compiler is not included in the S60 SDK but it ships with Carbide.c++ and Carbide.vs. Also, even if the compiler is installed it may not be enabled by default for command line use. Please consult the Carbide documentation to learn about how to enable command line builds for the WINSCW platform.

C:\>arm-none-symbianelf-gcc.exe -v
Reading specs from ... snip ...
Configured with: ... snip ...
Thread model: single
gcc version 3.4.3 (release) (CodeSourcery ARM Q1C 2005)

Note: This compiler is shipping with the SDK. If not found in your system it must be because you have not accepted the prompt to install it as part of the SDK install process.

C:\>armcc
ARM/Thumb C/C++ Compiler, RVCT2.2 [Build 503]

Usage:         armcc [options] file1 file2 ... filen
Main options: ... snip ...

Note: The RVCT compiler is not provided with the SDK. This command line test would only work if you have installed the compiler on your PC and if you have a valid license for it.

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5: Read the SDK documentation until you're confident that you understand:

• what Symbian OS is and how is it different from the other OS you have been programming for

• what programming for a mobile device means (constraints and opportunities)

• the structure of the OS, the main paradigms

• coding conventions

• system errors / panics / leaves and how to handle or log them

• differences between the device itself and SDK's emulator

• build system and tools, most importantly understand the "devices" tool

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6: What's the hurry? … Go back to Section 5!

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7: Start the emulator from Windows' start menu.

Play with it, learn what applications are available, how to navigate in it and what "hidden" options are there in the menu. Almost everything is documented in SDK's help.

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8: If you're here then you are ready to build your first application:

Open a Windows command interpreter window and make the current working directory %EPOCROOT%S60Ex (Series60Ex on some SDKs).

If you do not know what EPOCROOT is go back to §5.

Go further in the directory structure by choosing one of the examples available there (e.g. one of the HelloWorld* versions). Once decided the example go deeper into its group folder.

At the command prompt type the following command sequence:

…\group> bldmake bldfiles
…\group> abld makefile all
…\group> abld resource
…\group> abld build winscw udeb
…\group> epoc

Needless to say that should you see any error message during the execution of any of the commands you must stop, evaluate the message, read the documentation and if needed take actions towards fixing those errors. Error messages can only be ignored once you know that they are not affecting your current build. If all goes well the last command will start the emulator and you will be able to test your first application … well your first application build anyway.

…\group> abld build gcce urel
…\group> makesis ..\sis\helloworld.pkg

The last two commands will build the application for the device target (go back to §5 to find out which is the supported target for your SDK & tools configuration) and then build an installation kit (sis file). You may need to sign it before transferring it on device. Install the application on device and have fun testing it.

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9: Want to start coding now ? Hold your horses! … :)

First you need to make sure that you fully understand that hello world (or whatever choice you had) example. Open the project directory in a file browser and analyze its content and structure. Don't go further until you fully understand the role of each file in that directory.

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10: From now on you're on your own ...

... but the Symbian developer community will be happy to help you.

See the Forum Nokia Developer Discussion boards Carbide.c++ and CodeWarrior Tools

If you run into problems read the documentation. If you need more documentation visit www.forum.nokia.comand/or the Symbian Developer Network

Before asking for help read … read … read. Don't miss these posts and definitely don't miss our technical library. You can also find a range of books and free booklets by Symbian Press here. If you are an absolute beginner, or just new to C++ on Symbian OS, the new version of Steve Babin's Developing Software for Symbian OS is a great book to help you get started.

Use the forums to discuss your problems but make sure you are doing it "the smart way".

Source: http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/How_do_I_start_programming_for_Symbian_OS%3F