Tools for C++ for Symbian OS developers
Symbian OS is the leading platform for the next generation of smartphones. Symbian OS is at the heart of the S60 Platform and the Series 80 Platform. Developers who wish to take full advantage of the capabilities of Symbian OS and the platforms built on it can create applications in C++. For developers who have chosen Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 as their development tool, Nokia provides an integrated set of tools that enable the development of Symbian OS C++ applications in an efficient and straightforward manner.
Visual Studio developers start with the Carbide.vs. The Carbide.vs offers an easy entry into Symbian OS C++ development by providing a full development environment for S60 Platform SDKs and the Series 80 Platform SDK within Visual Studio. The tool provides a number of wizards and automated functions that support Symbian OS development with a minimum of manual configuration. The Carbide.vs also contains functionality to automate several of the development functions that are specific to Symbian OS.
The platform SDKs can then be added. These SDKs facilitate application testing on a PC, without the need for a device, with emulators for S60 Platform and Series 80 Platform devices. The SDKs provide full APIs, documentation, and example applications that make creating Symbian OS applications as uncomplicated as possible.
Key Benefits
- Enhancement of existing investment in Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003.
- Highly integrated support for Symbian OS development inside Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003.
- Look and feel of Visual Studio .NET.
- Development for both the S60 Platform and the Series 80 Platform.
- Development without dedicated development devices.
- Comprehensive support for PC-based testing of connected applications.
The Toolbox
- Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003.
- Carbide.vs.
- S60 Platform SDKs for Symbian OS, for C++.
- Series 80 Platform SDKs for Symbian OS, for C++.
Tools for Symbian OS C++ Developers — Toolbox Features and Functions
Carbide.vs
Look and Feel of Visual Studio
The Carbide.vs is an entry-level tool for developers familiar with Visual Studio .NET. The Carbide.vs extends the Visual Studio C++ project type with functionality specific to Symbian OS. In doing so, it maintains the look and feel of Visual Studio whenever possible.
Support for Multiple SDKs
Application developers need to develop and test applications for multiple platforms using multiple SDKs. The Carbide.vs allows the use of multiple SDKs when developing a specific project. SDKs, as well as emulator and target building, can be switched with a single pull-down menu.
Project Creation and Import
Development can be started by importing an existing Symbian OS C++ project into Visual Studio or by creating a new project. Project creation uses XML-based templates to create functional projects with all necessary files. Projects based on the supplied templates can be built immediately after creation.
Automatic Maintenance of Key Symbian OS Files
Symbian OS projects are controlled by a special *.mmp file, while the creation of the final download package is defined by a *.pkg file. The Carbide.vs automatically maintains basic *.mmp and *.pkg files for the project. This feature can be disabled where advanced *.mmp and *.pkg features need to be used.
Fully Incremental Project Builder for Emulator Building
With the Carbide.vs, emulator building is based on the Visual Studio project builder. This enables fully incremental building for the emulator. Since most builds are for the emulator, this improves overall development efficiency.
SDKs
A set of SDKs for the S60 Platform and the Series 80 Platform complements the capabilities of the Carbide.vs. All the SDKs plug into the Carbide.vs.
The SDKs provide device emulators for executing, testing, and debugging C++ applications on a PC.
For developers working with connected applications, each emulator offers the possibility of interacting with other emulators running on the PC or with server applications running over the Internet.
All SDKs also provide support for a wide range of languages, with specific versions for some languages, including Chinese, Thai, and Japanese.
S60 Platform SDKs for Symbian OS, for C++
The S60 Platform SDKs for Symbian OS, for C++, enable the development of applications compatible with every Nokia S60 device — from the Nokia 7650 phone to the latest Nokia 6680 imaging smartphone.

Series 80 Platform SDKs for Symbian OS, for C++
The Series 80 Platform SDKs for Symbian OS, for C++, enable the development of applications compatible with the Nokia 9300 smartphone and the Nokia 9500 Communicator.
Documentation
All of Nokia's tools for Symbian OS C++ development are delivered with comprehensive documentation, including online help and various developer guides.
Availability
The Carbide.vs for Symbian OS and all the SDKs can be downloaded for free from the Tools & SDKs section of the Forum Nokia Web site at www.forum.nokia.com/tools.




