S60 SDKs: Features for Symbian C++ and Open C/C++ developers

The S60 platform offers C++ developers an unrivalled range of APIs with which to create mobile applications. In addition, with the introduction of Open C/C++ and the RGA APIs, it easier than ever for C developers without specific experience of Symbian C++ to build applications, application engines, and middleware for S60 devices. For more information, see the Symbian C++ and Open C/C++ and RGA technology pages. The S60 SDKs provide C/C++ developers with tools that work with the Carbide.c++ IDE so that all development can be completed on PCs.

What’s new for Symbian C++ developers in the Nokia N97 SDK?

The Nokia N97 SDK offers the following new APIs and features for Symbian C++ developers:

Homescreen Publishing API
The Homescreen Publishing API enables developers to publish native applications so that users can view data from these applications in the home screen.

The emulator’s home screen provides support for displaying applications using the Homescreen Publishing API.

This API is specific to the Nokia N97 mobile computer, and compatibility with future releases of the S60 platform is not guaranteed.

Out-of-Memory Monitor API
The Out-of-Memory Monitor API provides methods for applications to quickly reallocate memory blocks or register themselves with higher priority — thus preventing the shutting down of an application running in the background when a device’s available memory is low.

This API is specific to the Nokia N97 mobile computer, and compatibility with future releases of the S60 platform is not guaranteed.

Key features of the S60 platform and device SDKs for Symbian C++ and Open C/C++ developers

Symbian OS and S60 APIs
All the public Symbian OS and S60 platform APIs present in a particular edition and feature pack are provided in each SDK.

For example, the S60 5th Edition SDK for Symbian OS adds support for:

• Multiple Drive Support APIs.
• Sensor APIs.
• Touchscreen and tactile-feedback APIs.

See release notes for details.

Open C/C++
Open C provides developers with a set of standard POSIX and middleware C libraries from nine well-known C libraries. Open C++ offers standard C++ libraries, with support for the STL, IOStreams, and Boost libraries.

The Open C/C++ libraries are available as a plug-in for S60 3rd Edition and later SDKs. The Open C APIs are integrated into the S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 and later SDKs. The Open C++ APIs are integrated into the S60 5th Edition SDK.

RGA APIs
RGA provides developers with standard C APIs for graphics and audio. RGA APIs can be plugged into any S60 3rd Edition SDK.

Build tools
The SDK includes build tools for the emulator, as well as for ARM^® device binaries. These tools enable developers to work at the command line if they choose.

ARM RealView^® RVCT compiler support
Developers using the ARM RealView^® RVCT compiler are able to create optimised binaries with the ARM RealView RVCT compiler 2.2 build 593 or newer for S60 3rd Edition or later.

Command-line interface
A command-line interface allows for use of the emulator without an IDE in conjunction with proprietary environments. A command-line interface also enables the emulator to be adapted to other specific needs.

Plug-ins
The SDKs provide support for various API plug-ins, such as the Extensions plug-in package for S60 3rd Edition SDK for Symbian OS, Feature Pack 2. For more information, see the S60 SDKs: Plug-ins page »

Debugging
The SDKs support emulator-based debugging of C++ and Open C/C++ applications and DLLs using a supported IDE.

Remote-logging API
The REcmt API allows applications to send messages to the log view of the emulator's diagnostics window. This feature gives developers a convenient way to observe debug messages issued by an application.

IDE compatibility
The latest SDKs provide support for all editions of Carbide.c++ 2.0.

What example Symbian C++ and Open C/C++ applications are included in the S60 platform and device SDKs?

The S60 platform and device SDKs offer a wide range of Symbian C++ and Open C example applications. The S60 5th Edition SDK, for example, includes 20 example applications that illustrate using Symbian C++ features such as AIW and localisation and Open C features such as the libz library. The Nokia N97 SDK provides an example that illustrates the use of the Homescreen Publishing API. A new example application illustrates the use of common dialogues.

For details of the example applications in other versions of the S60 SDKs, please refer to the release notes available on the download pages.

What documentation is delivered in the S60 platform and device SDKs?

Comprehensive documentation is provided in each S60 platform SDK. The S60 5th Edition SDK, for example, includes the S60 5th Edition SDK guide that includes a detailed introduction and tutorial for getting started with the SDK. The comprehensive S60 5th Edition C++ Developer’s Library provides detailed API documentation. The library is an excellent starting point for developers who are not familiar with the basics of the S60 platform, but also provides a detailed reference for skilled S60 developers.

For details of documentation in other versions of the S60 SDKs, please refer to the release notes available on the download pages.

Where can I get more information on the contents of the S60 platform and device SDKs?

For more information on support for Symbian C++ and Open C/C++ in SDKs earlier than the S60 5th Edition SDK, download and read the:

• S60 3rd Edition SDK for Symbian OS, Feature Pack 2 data sheet »
  
• S60 Platform SDKs for Symbian OS, for C++ data sheet »

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