Carbide.c++

Efficiently create C/C++ software for the world's most popular smartphone platforms

Carbide.c++ is a family of IDEs for the creation of C++ and C applications for Symbian OS devices. Carbide.c++ is based on the Eclipse IDE and the C/C++ development tools from the Eclipse CDT Project.

Combining the power of the Eclipse Framework with tools for all stages of development, Carbide.c++ offers all Symbian C++, Qt, and Open C/C++ developers an efficient, easy-to-use development environment.

And now Carbide.c++ is offered to every developer, from hobbyists to smartphone manufacturers, free of charge.

What’s the latest news about Carbide.c++?

Carbide.c++ 2.0 is now available. New features include support for the latest developments in technology based on Symbian OS, such as S60 5th Edition and the Qt platform. The new Knowledgebase Scanner offers developers assistance in migrating their UIs to S60 5th Edition to make the most of its touchscreen capability.

Find out more about the Carbide.c++ Knowledgebase Scanner »

Improvements throughout Carbide.c++ have been designed to make developing Symbian OS C/C++ applications quicker and easier. These improvements include speed and accuracy in code completion, faster response in the Performance Investigator reporting tools, and new connection management for on-device debugging.

For more information, visit the What’s New in Carbide.c++ page »

In addition, all versions of Carbide.c++ are now offered to the Symbian developer community free of charge. This means that every Symbian C/C++ developer has access to tools for on-device debugging, drag-and-drop UI design, and performance investigation.

What can I do with Carbide.c++?

Carbide.c++ enables you to quickly and efficiently create, code, test, and deploy software for the Symbian OS. That software can range from components for Symbian OS phones to third-party after-market applications.

To assist with project creation, Carbide.c++ is delivered with a set of templates for creating skeletons for the most commonly used types of Symbian OS software. For GUI applications, the UI Designer helps accelerate development with a drag-and-drop design environment. During development, CodeScanner can help identify coding issues before they become entrenched and costly to identify and remove. A complete set of tools then provides for building and packaging software. Carbide.c++ provides comprehensive tools for debugging built applications, including on-device debugging and specialised debugging features for phone developers. Then Performance Investigator can be used to tune software performance through analysis of memory, processor, and battery usage.

What versions of Carbide.c++ are available?

Although the Carbide.c++ family of tools is offered free of charge, during installation there is the opportunity to install one of three editions. It is recommended that you install the version most suited to your needs to eliminate the clutter of unwanted functionality. The editions are:

• Carbide.c++ Developer Edition, which contains all the tools necessary to create C++ and C applications with an S60 SDK or a UIQ SDK. Developer Edition offers a user interface design tool and the ability to perform on-device debugging, enabling developers to be more productive.
  
  For more information, visit the Carbide.c++ Developer Edition features page »
  
  
• Carbide.c++ Professional Edition, which extends the features of Developer Edition with a tool for application performance investigation and support for preproduction prototype devices. It also extends the tool’s on-device debugging capabilities with system-level and crash debugging. The full version of CodeScanner is also available. The features of Professional Edition facilitate the delivery of performance-critical applications.
  
  For more information, visit the Carbide.c++ Professional Edition features page »
  
  
• Carbide.c++ OEM Edition, which extends the features of Professional Edition with the features and tools required by device manufacturers to create devices based on Symbian OS.
  
  For more information, visit the Carbide.c++ OEM Edition features page »

Compare the features of the various editions of Carbide.c++ »

How do I get started with Carbide.c++?

To get started with Carbide.c++, you will need a PC with at least a 1.8-GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 300 MB of free disk space (2 GB of free space will be needed if you don’t already have an SDK installed). The PC can be running Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista Business. You will also need ActiveState ActivePerl-5.6.1.635.

For more information on the hardware and software requirements, see the release notes »

If you have this hardware, you can download and install Carbide.c++. The installation process is straightforward.

With Carbide.c++ installed, you might want to read the Carbide.c++: Introductory White Paper or view the Getting Started with Carbide.c++ Express Screencast, both of which will take you through the basics of creating, building, and deploying your first application.

Then consider reading the Carbide.c++ UI Designer White Paper to learn how UI Designer can help speed up development by creating application GUIs visually.

When your application is ready for testing, consider the On-Device Debugging with Carbide.c++ document or video. Both resources are designed to help you connect your device for on-device debugging and can guide you through the use of the debugging tools available in Carbide.c++. Finally, the document Analyzing Application Performance with the Carbide.c++ Performance Investigator and the video Getting Started with Carbide.c++ Performance Investigator provide helpful information on capturing and analysing information on a device’s consumption of resources such as memory, CPU, and battery.

What help does Forum Nokia offer for Carbide.c++?

Forum Nokia offers all developers a wide range of professional and community-based help and support for Carbide.c++. (See the box at right for links.)

With which Symbian platforms and devices is Carbide.c++ compatible?

Carbide.c++ can be used to develop applications for S60 3rd Edition or later, UIQ 3.0 or later, and MOAP.

See specifications for S60 devices »

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