An Introduction to An Introduction to Symbian Operating Symbian Operating

SystemSystem

Prepared by :Prepared by :

Phang Seong YeePhang Seong Yee

OutlineOutline

Trends For Mobile ApplicationTrends For Mobile Application Mobile ApplicationMobile Application Mobile Computing PlatformMobile Computing Platform Mobile Operating SystemMobile Operating System Symbian Operating SystemSymbian Operating System Evolution of Symbian OSEvolution of Symbian OS Symbian OS Architecture Symbian Application Development Symbian Developer Tools Conclusion

Trends for Mobile Trends for Mobile Applications Applications

1.1. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) - To enable third parties to provide new services, - To enable third parties to provide new services,

such as billing, messaging.such as billing, messaging. - To reduce the time for carriers to introduce new - To reduce the time for carriers to introduce new

products to their customer.products to their customer. - It would come to the stage of Programmable - It would come to the stage of Programmable

APIs.APIs.

2.2. Services CachingServices Caching - Due to the advance devices with sophisticated - Due to the advance devices with sophisticated

processor and more memory, sophisticated processor and more memory, sophisticated multimedia-based and web services-based multimedia-based and web services-based applications become possible. applications become possible.

- The devices can be used to mask the vagaries - The devices can be used to mask the vagaries of the network and services by caching services of the network and services by caching services on the device itself.on the device itself.

Trends for Mobile Trends for Mobile ApplicationsApplications

3. Further Service Differentiation for carriers3. Further Service Differentiation for carriers4. XML-based Web Services4. XML-based Web Services - To enable application developers to use the - To enable application developers to use the

existing services over the Internet quickly create existing services over the Internet quickly create new applications for mobile devices. new applications for mobile devices.

- Since mobile terminal are constrained with - Since mobile terminal are constrained with respect to memory and processor power, new respect to memory and processor power, new versions of XML processing had to be developed versions of XML processing had to be developed such as kXML, kSOAP, kUDDI. such as kXML, kSOAP, kUDDI.

5. Real Time Data Streaming5. Real Time Data Streaming - To enable the services beyond 3G, such as - To enable the services beyond 3G, such as

mobile TV (television channels from the mobile mobile TV (television channels from the mobile phone)phone)

Applications: 1 year agoApplications: 1 year ago

Signature CaptureSignature CaptureControlControl

vMilesvMiles

Pocket ftCalcPocket ftCalc

Mobile ControlsMobile Controls

Registry ControlRegistry Control

MicrographsMicrographs

Simple Wireless APISimple Wireless API

Color DialogColor Dialog

Applications: TodayApplications: Today

All Mobile CasinoAll Mobile Casino

JL MobileJL MobileXSales RepXSales Rep

Microsoft CRMMicrosoft CRMMobileMobile

Pocket HumanityPocket Humanity

GPS GolfProGPS GolfPro

Valentin IliescuValentin IliescuChessChess

Mobile ApplicationMobile Application

The number of applications is growing The number of applications is growing exponentially and different applications exponentially and different applications have different requirements. have different requirements.

For example, distributed applications For example, distributed applications require interaction and coordination with require interaction and coordination with remote applications, and therefore, remote applications, and therefore, leverage the middleware services. leverage the middleware services.

Some applications require the runtime Some applications require the runtime environment to execute, while other environment to execute, while other applications run natively and interact with applications run natively and interact with the operating system kernel. the operating system kernel.

Mobile ApplicationMobile Application

““Resource-poor” mobile devicesResource-poor” mobile devices Limited memory and buffer space (typically no Limited memory and buffer space (typically no

disk)disk) Small screenSmall screen Low processing capabilitiesLow processing capabilities Limited battery lifeLimited battery life

Location of a mobile device may change Location of a mobile device may change frequently due to mobilityfrequently due to mobility Relative to network and other servicesRelative to network and other services Relative to other hostsRelative to other hosts

Mobile ApplicationMobile Application

Capacity of the wireless channel is limited and Capacity of the wireless channel is limited and may varymay vary

Communication is often unreliableCommunication is often unreliable Short-term “fades” – high bit errorsShort-term “fades” – high bit errors Long-term disconnects – disconnected operation:Long-term disconnects – disconnected operation:

Forced or voluntary disconnectionForced or voluntary disconnection

Disconnected operation (read/write) requires Disconnected operation (read/write) requires system supportsystem support Data cachingData caching Pre-fetchingPre-fetching IntegrationIntegration

Mobile ApplicationMobile Application Applications in mobile computing fall into Applications in mobile computing fall into

the following three broad categories: the following three broad categories: 1)1) Stand-alone Applications- run entirely on mobile Stand-alone Applications- run entirely on mobile

terminals in disconnect (detached) mode.terminals in disconnect (detached) mode.

2)2) Simple Client-Server (C/S) applications - (e.g., Simple Client-Server (C/S) applications - (e.g., DB query). The connection time for C/S DB query). The connection time for C/S interactions is short.interactions is short.

3)3) Advanced mobile applications - (groupware and Advanced mobile applications - (groupware and distributed multimedia) - information distributed multimedia) - information exchanged is time critical (i.e., real time)exchanged is time critical (i.e., real time)

Mobile Application EvolutionMobile Application Evolution The functionality of the mobile terminals has evolved The functionality of the mobile terminals has evolved

tremendously over last 10 years.tremendously over last 10 years.

Voice Transmission Voice Transmission -Short Message Service (SMS) and Web Browsing-Short Message Service (SMS) and Web Browsing

(WAP and I-mode) (WAP and I-mode)

-Interaction with Vending Machine and Multimedia Message -Interaction with Vending Machine and Multimedia Message Service (MMS)Service (MMS)

Video Conferencing and Interaction with the surrounding Video Conferencing and Interaction with the surrounding

physical environment (I-area)physical environment (I-area)-Object-to-Object Communication -Object-to-Object Communication -Machine-to-Machine Communication-Machine-to-Machine Communication -Car-to-Car Communication-Car-to-Car Communication

Mobile Computing PlatformMobile Computing Platform

The evolution of cell phone functionality is the result of the sophistication of supporting infrastructure running in the phones.

The generic mobile computing platform that includes the building blocks shared by most existing approaches.

The building blocks are: Mobile Operating System Runtime Environment Middleware Applications

Generic Mobile Computing Generic Mobile Computing PlatformPlatform

Mobile Operating SystemMobile Operating System

Runtime EnvironmentRuntime Environment

MiddlewareMiddleware

ApplicationsApplications

Mobile Operating System (1)Mobile Operating System (1) It is the software responsible for managing, exporting and It is the software responsible for managing, exporting and

arbitrating the hardware resources provided by terminals.arbitrating the hardware resources provided by terminals.

It is vital component that hides the underlying hardware It is vital component that hides the underlying hardware complexity and heterogeneity and enables the construction complexity and heterogeneity and enables the construction of software. of software.

It is similar to the desktop operating system with restricted It is similar to the desktop operating system with restricted components. components.

It is including low memory footprint, low dynamic memory It is including low memory footprint, low dynamic memory usage, efficient power management framework, real-time usage, efficient power management framework, real-time support for telephony and communication protocols and support for telephony and communication protocols and reliability.reliability.

Mobile Operating System (2)Mobile Operating System (2)

1.1. Symbian OSSymbian OS

2.2. Palm OSPalm OS

3.3. Windows CE .NET OSWindows CE .NET OS

4.4. Embedded LinuxEmbedded Linux

5.5. Qualcomm BREWQualcomm BREW

Note: All the OS above follow the architecture presented in previous slide except BREW

Mobile OS ExampleMobile OS Example

PalmOS PocketPC Symbian OS

Market LeaderMarket Leader

Symbian leads the smartphone market with a 70% share Linux 19%, Microsoft 5%, PalmSource 3% (Source: Canalys Q2 2006 worldwide smart mobile device

research)

100m cumulative shipments since the formation of Symbian

12.3m Symbian OS shipments in Q2 2006

A new Symbian OS smartphone model was shipped every week in Q2 2006

Symbian Platform Mobile Symbian Platform Mobile PhonePhone

Symbian Operating SystemSymbian Operating System Symbian OS is licenced to a large number of handset Symbian OS is licenced to a large number of handset

manufacturers, which account for over 80% of annual worldwide manufacturers, which account for over 80% of annual worldwide mobile phone sales (Symbian 2003). mobile phone sales (Symbian 2003).

Symbian OS is an operating system, designed for mobile devices, Symbian OS is an operating system, designed for mobile devices, with associated libraries, user interface frameworks and reference with associated libraries, user interface frameworks and reference implementations of common tools, produced by Symbian Ltd.implementations of common tools, produced by Symbian Ltd.

The version 8 is the first version that provides a real-time OS kernel The version 8 is the first version that provides a real-time OS kernel and supports the following features:and supports the following features:

1) Rich suite of application services, including services for contacts, 1) Rich suite of application services, including services for contacts, schedule, messaging, browsing and system control schedule, messaging, browsing and system control

2) Java support, Real time, Hardware Support (different CPUs, 2) Java support, Real time, Hardware Support (different CPUs, peripherals, and memory types), messaging with support for MMS, peripherals, and memory types), messaging with support for MMS, EMS, SMS, POP3, SMTP, and MHTMLEMS, SMS, POP3, SMTP, and MHTML

3) Graphics with a graphic accelerator API, Mobile Telephony, 3) Graphics with a graphic accelerator API, Mobile Telephony, International Support, Data Synchronuization, Device Management, International Support, Data Synchronuization, Device Management, Security, wireless connectivity, including Bluetooth and 802.11bSecurity, wireless connectivity, including Bluetooth and 802.11b

Is Symbian OS opensource???Is Symbian OS opensource???

A common question is whether A common question is whether Symbian Symbian OSOS is "open". It is not open in the sense of is "open". It is not open in the sense of Open Source softwareOpen Source software - the source code - the source code is not publicly available. However, nearly is not publicly available. However, nearly all the source code is provided to Symbian all the source code is provided to Symbian OS phone manufacturers and many other OS phone manufacturers and many other partners. Moreover, the APIs are publicly partners. Moreover, the APIs are publicly documented and anyone can develop documented and anyone can develop software for software for Symbian OSSymbian OS. This contrasts . This contrasts with traditional embedded phone with traditional embedded phone operating systems, which typically cannot operating systems, which typically cannot accept any aftermarket software with the accept any aftermarket software with the exception of exception of Java applicationsJava applications. .

Evolution of Symbian OS (I)Evolution of Symbian OS (I) EPOC16-EPOC16-Psion released several Series 3 devices from 1991 Psion released several Series 3 devices from 1991

to 1998 which used the EPOC16 OS, also known as SIBO.to 1998 which used the EPOC16 OS, also known as SIBO.

EPOC OS Releases 1–3-EPOC OS Releases 1–3-The Series 5 device, released in The Series 5 device, released in 1997, used the first iterations of the EPOC32 OS.1997, used the first iterations of the EPOC32 OS.

EPOC Release 4-EPOC Release 4-Oregon Osaris and Geofox 1 were Oregon Osaris and Geofox 1 were released using ER4.In 1998, Symbian Ltd. was formed as a released using ER4.In 1998, Symbian Ltd. was formed as a partnership between Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola and Psion, to partnership between Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola and Psion, to explore the convergence between PDAs and mobile phones.explore the convergence between PDAs and mobile phones.

EPOC Release 5 a.k.a. Symbian OS v5-EPOC Release 5 a.k.a. Symbian OS v5-Psion Series Psion Series 5mx, Series 7, Psion Revo, Psion Netbook, netPad, Ericsson 5mx, Series 7, Psion Revo, Psion Netbook, netPad, Ericsson MC218 were released in 1999 using ER5.MC218 were released in 1999 using ER5.

*EPOC is a family of operating systems developed by Psion for portable devices, primarily PDAs

Evolution of Symbian OS (II)Evolution of Symbian OS (II) ER5u a.k.a. Symbian OS v5.1ER5u a.k.a. Symbian OS v5.1

u = Unicode. The first phone, the Ericsson R380 was released u = Unicode. The first phone, the Ericsson R380 was released using ER5u in 2000. It was not an 'open' phone - software could using ER5u in 2000. It was not an 'open' phone - software could not be installed. Notably, a number of never released Psion not be installed. Notably, a number of never released Psion prototypes for next generation PDAs, including a Bluetooth Revo prototypes for next generation PDAs, including a Bluetooth Revo successor codenamed Conan were using ER5u.successor codenamed Conan were using ER5u.

Symbian OS v6.0 and v6.1Symbian OS v6.0 and v6.1-Sometimes called ER6. The first -Sometimes called ER6. The first 'open' Symbian OS phone, the Nokia 9210, was released on 6.0.'open' Symbian OS phone, the Nokia 9210, was released on 6.0.

Symbian OS v7.0 and Symbian OS v7.0 and v7.0s-First shipped in 2003. This is an important Symbian release which appeared with all contemporary user interfaces including UIQ (Sony Ericsson P800, P900, P910, Motorola A925, A1000), Series 80 (Nokia 9300, 9500), Series 90 (Nokia 7710), S60 (Nokia 6600, 7310) as well as several FOMA phones in Japan.In 2004, Psion sold its stake in Symbian.

Evolution of Symbian OS (III)Evolution of Symbian OS (III) Symbian OS v8.0Symbian OS v8.0 First shipped in 2004, one of its advantages would have First shipped in 2004, one of its advantages would have

been a choice of two different kernels (EKA1 or EKA2). been a choice of two different kernels (EKA1 or EKA2). However, the EKA2 kernel version did not ship until However, the EKA2 kernel version did not ship until SymbianOS v8.1b. The kernels behave more or less SymbianOS v8.1b. The kernels behave more or less identically from user-side, but are internally very different. identically from user-side, but are internally very different. EKA1 was chosen by some manufacturers to maintain EKA1 was chosen by some manufacturers to maintain compatibility with old device drivers, whilst EKA2 offered compatibility with old device drivers, whilst EKA2 offered advantages such as a hard real-time capability. v8.0b was advantages such as a hard real-time capability. v8.0b was deproductized in 2003.deproductized in 2003.

Symbian OS v8.1Symbian OS v8.1Basically a cleaned-up version of 8.0, this was available in Basically a cleaned-up version of 8.0, this was available in 8.1a and 8.1b versions, with EKA1 and EKA2 kernels 8.1a and 8.1b versions, with EKA1 and EKA2 kernels respectively. The 8.1b version, with EKA2's single-chip respectively. The 8.1b version, with EKA2's single-chip phone support but no additional security layer, was popular phone support but no additional security layer, was popular among Japanese phone companies desiring the realtime among Japanese phone companies desiring the realtime support but not allowing open application installation.support but not allowing open application installation.

Evolution of Symbian OS (IV)Evolution of Symbian OS (IV) Symbian OS v9.0Symbian OS v9.0

This version was used for internal Symbian purposes only. It This version was used for internal Symbian purposes only. It was deproductised in 2004. v9.0 marked the end of the was deproductised in 2004. v9.0 marked the end of the road for EKA1. v8.1a is the final EKA1 version of road for EKA1. v8.1a is the final EKA1 version of SymbianOS.Symbian OS has generally maintained SymbianOS.Symbian OS has generally maintained reasonable binary compatibility. In theory the OS was BC reasonable binary compatibility. In theory the OS was BC from ER1-ER5, then from 6.0 to 8.1b. Substantial changes from ER1-ER5, then from 6.0 to 8.1b. Substantial changes were needed for 9.0, related to tools and security, but this were needed for 9.0, related to tools and security, but this should be a one-off event. The move from requiring ARMv4 should be a one-off event. The move from requiring ARMv4 to requiring ARMv5 did not break backwards compatibility.to requiring ARMv5 did not break backwards compatibility.A Symbian developer proclaims that porting from Symbian A Symbian developer proclaims that porting from Symbian 8.x to Symbian 9.x is a more daunting process than 8.x to Symbian 9.x is a more daunting process than Symbian says. Symbian says.

Evolution of Symbian OS (V)Evolution of Symbian OS (V) Symbian OS v9.1Symbian OS v9.1 Released early 2005. It includes many new security related Released early 2005. It includes many new security related

features, particularly a controversial platform security features, particularly a controversial platform security module facilitating mandatory code signing. Symbian module facilitating mandatory code signing. Symbian argues that applications and content, and therefore a argues that applications and content, and therefore a developers investment, are better protected than ever, developers investment, are better protected than ever, however others contend that the requirement that every however others contend that the requirement that every application be signed (and thus approved) violates the application be signed (and thus approved) violates the rights of the end-user, the owner of the phone, and limits rights of the end-user, the owner of the phone, and limits the amount of free software available. The new ARM EABI the amount of free software available. The new ARM EABI binary model means developers need to retool and the binary model means developers need to retool and the security changes mean they may have to recode. S60 3rd security changes mean they may have to recode. S60 3rd Edition phones have Symbian OS 9.1. Sony Ericsson is Edition phones have Symbian OS 9.1. Sony Ericsson is shipping the M600i based on Symbian OS 9.1 and should shipping the M600i based on Symbian OS 9.1 and should ship the P990 in Q3 2006. The earlier versions had a fatal ship the P990 in Q3 2006. The earlier versions had a fatal defect where the phone hangs temporarily after the owner defect where the phone hangs temporarily after the owner sent hundreds of SMSes. However, on 13 September 2006, sent hundreds of SMSes. However, on 13 September 2006, Nokia released a small program to fix this defect. Nokia released a small program to fix this defect.

Evolution of Symbian OS (VI)Evolution of Symbian OS (VI) Symbian OS v9.2Symbian OS v9.2

Released Q1 2006. Support for Bluetooth 2.0 (was 1.2) and Released Q1 2006. Support for Bluetooth 2.0 (was 1.2) and OMA Device Management 1.2 (was 1.1.2). S60 3rd Edition OMA Device Management 1.2 (was 1.1.2). S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 phones have Symbian OS 9.2. Feature Pack 1 phones have Symbian OS 9.2.

Symbian OS v9.3Symbian OS v9.3Released on 12 July 2006. Upgrades include native support for Released on 12 July 2006. Upgrades include native support for Wifi 802.11, HSDPA, Vietnamese language support.Wifi 802.11, HSDPA, Vietnamese language support.On November 16, 2006, the 100 millionth smartphone running On November 16, 2006, the 100 millionth smartphone running the OS was shipped.the OS was shipped.

Symbian OS v9.5Symbian OS v9.5 Released in March 2007. Featured up to 25% reduced RAM Released in March 2007. Featured up to 25% reduced RAM

usage resulting in better battery life thanks to introduction of usage resulting in better battery life thanks to introduction of Demand paging. Applications should launch up to 75% faster. Demand paging. Applications should launch up to 75% faster. Native support for mobile digital television broadcasts DVB-H Native support for mobile digital television broadcasts DVB-H ja ISDB-T and location services. Also supports SQL. ja ISDB-T and location services. Also supports SQL.

Symbian ProductSymbian Product

*MOAP-mobile-phone-oriented application platform (NTT DoCoMo's Symbian based MOAP platform ) *UIQ- User Interface Quartz

Symbian Based PlatformSymbian Based Platform

References ModelReferences Model

Series 60Series 60 UIQUIQ Series 80Series 80 Series 90Series 90Nokia N-Gage, N-Nokia N-Gage, N-Gage QDGage QDNokia 7650, Nokia 7650, 3650, 36603650, 3660Nokia 6600, Nokia 6600, 6620, 6630, 6620, 6630, 6670, 6680, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6682, 76106681, 6682, 7610Sendo X, Siemens Sendo X, Siemens SX-1, Nokia 3250, SX-1, Nokia 3250, E60, E61, E70, E60, E61, E70, N70, N80, N90, N70, N80, N90, N91 and others, N91 and others, coming out each coming out each month month

Sony Ericsson Sony Ericsson P800, P900, P910i, P800, P900, P910i, P990i, W950i, P990i, W950i, M600M600Motorola Motorola

A920/A925/A1000A920/A925/A1000

Nokia 9210, 9210iNokia 9210, 9210iNokia 9300, 9300i, Nokia 9300, 9300i,

95009500 Nokia 7710Nokia 7710

UIQUIQ UIQUIQ is stylus-based interface (heavily influenced by the easy-to-use Palm is stylus-based interface (heavily influenced by the easy-to-use Palm

OS one). The best known examples of UIQ devices are the Sony Ericsson OS one). The best known examples of UIQ devices are the Sony Ericsson P800 and P900/P910i, although there are others, including the Motorola P800 and P900/P910i, although there are others, including the Motorola A920/925/1000. Look beyond the Palm-like interface and you'll see A920/925/1000. Look beyond the Palm-like interface and you'll see glimpses of stuff that's familiar from Psion days.glimpses of stuff that's familiar from Psion days.

But only glimpses. The biggest downside of UIQ 2 is that some of the But only glimpses. The biggest downside of UIQ 2 is that some of the benefits of multitasking have been removed by the way programs revert to benefits of multitasking have been removed by the way programs revert to a neutral state when sent to the background. So you switch away to check a neutral state when sent to the background. So you switch away to check your calendar or answer the phone and then have to re-open your your calendar or answer the phone and then have to re-open your document and find your place all over again. And again. document and find your place all over again. And again.

UIQ 3 promises to restore proper multitasking, thankfully, but this won't be UIQ 3 promises to restore proper multitasking, thankfully, but this won't be available until the Sony Ericsson P990i, W950 and M600 arrive mid to late available until the Sony Ericsson P990i, W950 and M600 arrive mid to late 2006.2006.

SE P990 Motorola M1000

ArimaU300

MotorolaMOTORIZR Z8

BenQP30

Series 60Series 60

Down at the other size extreme, Nokia has been very successful with their Down at the other size extreme, Nokia has been very successful with their small-screen 'small-screen 'Series 60Series 60' interface. Again this is recognizable Symbian ' interface. Again this is recognizable Symbian under the hood, but again there's no touch-screen and this time Nokia has under the hood, but again there's no touch-screen and this time Nokia has written many of its own applications from scratch, ditching the standard written many of its own applications from scratch, ditching the standard Psion/Symbian ones presumably because they wouldn't suit the one-Psion/Symbian ones presumably because they wouldn't suit the one-handed, button-driven interface and generally smaller screen.handed, button-driven interface and generally smaller screen.

There's multi-tasking power here under the hood and many third party There's multi-tasking power here under the hood and many third party applications have been ported to Series 60/S60, but everything's restricted applications have been ported to Series 60/S60, but everything's restricted to some degree by the screen size and keypad text input.to some degree by the screen size and keypad text input.

LG KS10 JoY

Samsung SGH - D720

Panasonic X800

Nokia N93i

Nokia N95

Series 80Series 80 Historically, Nokia have opted for Symbian devices which don't need a Historically, Nokia have opted for Symbian devices which don't need a

fragile touch-screen. The well-known Nokia 9210 effectively ran EPOC fragile touch-screen. The well-known Nokia 9210 effectively ran EPOC version 6 and is extremely similar to an old Psion Series 5mx in many, version 6 and is extremely similar to an old Psion Series 5mx in many, many ways, with the minor difference that the lack of a touch-screen many ways, with the minor difference that the lack of a touch-screen necessitated a set of programmable command buttons to the right of the necessitated a set of programmable command buttons to the right of the screen. Nokia refer to this interface as 'screen. Nokia refer to this interface as 'Series 80Series 80'.'.

You get almost the full range of built-in applications (including Word, You get almost the full range of built-in applications (including Word,

Sheet, etc.) and there's full (and proper) multi-tasking, so you can have Sheet, etc.) and there's full (and proper) multi-tasking, so you can have dozens of programs and documents open at once, switching between them dozens of programs and documents open at once, switching between them as needed. as needed.

Nokia 9500

Series 90Series 90 ''Series 90Series 90', as seen in Nokia's idiosyncratic 7710. It uses much the same ', as seen in Nokia's idiosyncratic 7710. It uses much the same

operating system and applications as Series 80, but tweaked to support a operating system and applications as Series 80, but tweaked to support a slightly larger, touch-sensitive screen. But there's no keyboard, of course, slightly larger, touch-sensitive screen. But there's no keyboard, of course, so input is via gesture recognition, virtual keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard. so input is via gesture recognition, virtual keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard. The interface has been orphaned by Nokia, alas. The 7710 is still a good The interface has been orphaned by Nokia, alas. The 7710 is still a good choice for ex-Psion owners though, with similar software and interface - choice for ex-Psion owners though, with similar software and interface - just make sure you use it with a Bluetooth keyboard!just make sure you use it with a Bluetooth keyboard!

Nokia 7710

Symbian OS Architecture

System view of Symbian OS

Symbian OS v8Symbian OS v8

Symbian OS v9Symbian OS v9

Symbian DevelopmentSymbian Development

Software Development Kits (SDK)

Software development kits *The starting point for developing applications for Symbian OS is to obtain a

software development kit (SDK). SDKs for Symbian OS support development in

both C++ and Java. They provide: -binaries and tools to facilitate building and deployment of Symbian OS applications -full system documentation for APIs and tools

*For the independent software developer, the most important thing to know in targeting a particular phone is the associated UI platform. Next you need to know the Symbian OS version the phone was based on. This combined knowledge defines to a large degree the target phone as a platform for independent software development. You can then decide which SDK you need to obtain. In most cases you will, working with this SDK, be able to target with a single version of your application all phones based on the same UI platform and Symbian OS version. The Symbian OS System Definition papers give further details of possible differences between phones based on a single SDK.

What are the Symbian OS Development Kits?

Symbian creates 4 development environments:

1.) Symbian OS Customisation Kit (CustKit) The Symbian OS Customisation Kit is the development environment that is licensed to handset manufacturers. It is a superset of the “Symbian OS Development” Kit, including some extra tools and source. The license

terms are different to those for the “DevKit”.

2.) Symbian OS Development Kit (DevKit)

Colloquial name for the Symbian OS Development Kit.

3.) Symbian OS Binary Access Kit (BAK) A binary-only DevKit. Provides access to most APIs in the DevKit but does

not contain the source tree

4.) Symbian OS Technology Preview SDK (TPSDK)Technology Preview SDK. An early release SDK

Developer tools (I)

Nokia Carbide Development Tools for Symbian OS C++Carbide.c++ is a family of Eclipse-based development tools supporting Symbian OS development on S60, Series 80, UIQ and MOAP. The Carbide family consists of:

* Carbide.c++ Professional, performance tools for advanced users * Carbide.c++ Developer Edition – Productivity tools for creating

applications * Carbide.c++ Express – For developers new to Symbian, Academia

Nokia Carbide Development Tools for Java - Carbide.j Carbide.j (formerly Nokia Developer's Suite for J2ME) is a software development tool for Java™ Platform, Micro Edition (Java™ ME) developers that enhances the development and verification of applications for Nokia devices. It provides tools for creating Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) and Personal Profile (PP) applications and deployment packages, signing applications, and deploying applications to devices. It is also an essential tool for managing, configuring, and running emulators for various Nokia platform and device SDKs.

Developer tools (II) AppForge Crossfire 6.5

Crossfire is a unique technology platform that allows Microsoft Visual Studio Developers to leverage the skills and knowledge they have and apply them to create mobile applications that will run on market leading devices and operating systems. Crossfire includes integration and support for the following:

Microsoft IDE Integration -Visual Studio .NET (2005 / 2003) -Visual C# .NET 2003 -Visual Basic .NET 2003 -Visual Studio 6.0 Professional -Visual Basic 6.0 Language Support -Visual Basic .NET -C# -Visual Basic 6.0

Developer tools (III)

Wirelexsoft VistaMax Wirelexsoft is a provider of technology and solutions for the mobile, the web and the desktop. We provide Rapid Application Development (RAD) Tools and IDEs that save significant development effort and reduce cost and time to market. Wirelexsoft offers VistaMax for development on Symbian - S60 and UIQ - and VistaFei for AJAX Application Development based on Google Web Toolkit. VistaMax and VistaFei are based on Eclipse.

Opensource developer tools SymbDev

This is a set of free and open source plug-ins for Eclipse that provide support for the development of Symbian C++ applications. The plug-ins can automatically detect the installed SDKs while the building process is based on the Symbian command-line building tools which are executed as background tasks from the Eclipse IDE.

Xcode Plugin for Symbian OSThis is a free and open source plugin for the Apple Xcode development environment for Apple Macintosh computers running the MacOS X operating system. It was developed by Tom Sutcliffe and it currently has the following main features:

-Import MMP files into Xcode projects -Edit settings and build targets (exactly like you would for any other Xcode project) -Work with multiple SDKs - UIQ, S60, Series 80 -Build SIS files and send them via Bluetooth to your Symbian OS phone for testing, as part of the build process -GCC and other Symbian OS-specific tools included (no need to download or compile them yourself) -Projects mostly work 'straight from the box'; i.e. no change is needed to code developed on a PC for it to compile in Xcode -The plugin is free and open source. The source is covered by the GPL and is available on tigris.org

Development Language

C++ Java Open source :- -Ruby

-OPL-dev-Perl-Python for S60-Python for UIQ-Simkin

Conclusion In summary, mobile phone manufacturers are given a large

amount of way in relation to how much or how little of Symbian OS they incorporate into their phones.

They have taken only limited advantage of this freedom,

differentiating products by adding functionality rather than removing or replacing Symbian OS components. Where components have been removed this trends to be at the UI platform level, i.e. the components removed are perceived as inappropriate for the class of phone at which the UI platform (SDK) is targeted.

Where components have been replaced, this is because handset

manufacturers have previously developed their own versions of those components, sometimes with additional capabilities, which they prefer to use.

References-Useful LinkReferences-Useful Link (I)(I) http://www.symbian.com/http://www.symbian.com/ -symbian ltd website-symbian ltd website http://developer.symbian.com/http://developer.symbian.com/ -tools,tutorial,source code on symbian software development-tools,tutorial,source code on symbian software development http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/

-all about symbian news ,software-all about symbian news ,software http://www.allaboutseries80.comhttp://www.allaboutseries80.com -Sites on S80 devices, applications-Sites on S80 devices, applications http://www.s60.com/http://www.s60.com/ -Sites on S60 devices, applications -Sites on S60 devices, applications http://www.i-symbian.com/http://www.i-symbian.com/

-Latest news on symbian phones and application-Latest news on symbian phones and application http://www.uiq.com/ http://www.uiq.com/ -UIQ technology site-UIQ technology site http://www.newlc.com/ (symbian C++ developer forum)http://www.newlc.com/ (symbian C++ developer forum) -SDK, Development tools, Guide, Example source code-SDK, Development tools, Guide, Example source code

References-References-Useful Link (II) http://pf128.krakow.sdi.tpnet.pl/symbdev/

-symDev opensource developer tools http://www.wirelexsoft.com/

-website for wirelexsoft IDE http://www.appforge.com/ -website for appforge IDE http://www.forum.nokia.com -everything on starting to develop symbian application http://symbian.org -opensource project for Symbian OS