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Getting Started with Symbian C++

89 replies · 87,405 views · Started 17 October 2002

talk2sk 17 Oct 2002, 14:03

This thread ideally will answer your questions on how to get started with Symbian C++ programming.

Firstly, get the 'Series 60' Symbian C++ SDK from http://forum.nokia.com (you will need to register on the site). The download is around 128MB so be warned. I had it downloaded by my friend (cable) and burnt onto CD.

Next thing to do is to install this on your PC, if you wish to use the Visual C++ IDE or the emulator then you should have VC6 installed. (You can compile for 'the phone alone' with the command line without VC6).

This install will also install a Java Runtime environment (1.3 I Think). It will also install ActivePerl for running some compile scripts etc. It will also install a so called 'emulator' for the N7650.

Take a look at the documentation available, especially the segments regarding getting started etc.. If you are new to Object Oriented Programming (or need to brush up) there is a good section on getting your basics right.

I will soon post a small write up on getting up to the helloworld application. Though if your fingers are twitching you might try the examples included.
Please be patient.

--- Edited
The first version of a miniguide to getting started is now available in text form below.

If you have any problems 'getting started', please post under the following thread (just trying to keep things organised, so that when people come in they have an idea of where to go, hope you all help out in that regard)

http://www.allabouter6.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3308

-----Edited
The first revision (1.1) of a miniguide is now available, it has updated sections on compiling for the phone as well as a clarification on using VC6.

Revised.
1. Added info on emulator.
2. Added clarification on VC6.
3. Added clarification for 'Series 60' SDK. This is the one I am using.

Revised.
1. Added Miniguide.
2. Added link to 'Problems getting started'.

Revised.
1. Corrected statement on VC6 requirement.
2. Uploaded revision 1.1. Will keep revision 1 until rev 1.2 or more comes along. 😊
Rev 1.1, adds section on compiling for the phone and sis file creation.

----- Edited

TIP!!: You can run the script 'Series60\Epoc32\Data\change_7650_skin.pl' to make the emulator look like 7650 (recommended only for 1028x768 screens though)

----- Edited 12 Nov 2002
Reposted the Miniguide rev 1.1 since it was unavailable after the host change.. (I know it has been a few weeks since, but I was moving to Sydney 😊 )
----- Edited 1 Mar 2003
Reposted the Miniguide after complaints that it wasnt available. Sorry for the delay.

Flanders 17 Oct 2002, 16:10

Hi

This sounds good, I am keen to have a go at some C++ programming for my 7650 😃

what exactly does the Visual C++ IDE do? Do i really need to have VC6 installed? Or can I still write games with just the Symbian C++ SDK?

Is there am emulator included in the SDK, I dont want to have to install everything I write to the phone to test :cry:

Stu

talk2sk 17 Oct 2002, 16:25

Good Questions and here are the replies.

The Visual C++ IDE is just an option, it is good if you have it, if you dont you can still compile from the command line (or probably even setup some other IDE to compile for you). The entire compile process is handled by 'perl scripts' and 'nmake'.

And yes an emulator is included with the SDK, this is essentially a 'simulator' since it runs x86 compiled code instead of emulating the ARM instructions. 😞. But it works enough for simple programs to be tested out. I cant vouch for games and others (I have heard comments that it is not so good then, but then again, I have found it good to use).

The only problem being that it just crashes if there is a problem (like null pointer access etc) hence the debugging is a bit difficult. But I havent really setup debugging etc (It is supposed to support 'gdb'😉.

Come on and jump onto the bandwagon... (First download the 128MB file) 😉

Flanders 17 Oct 2002, 16:42

Ok, grabbin it now, wont take long on my cable modem 😃

hurry up with that hello world tutorial 😉

MaleBuffy 17 Oct 2002, 17:02

Well If you dont want to download the 128mb file you can have it sent to your address! I did and got a nice CD with nice packaging etc. I downloaded the file as well since I ahve ADSL but its nice to have an original from nokia free of charge! 😊

Dazler 17 Oct 2002, 17:27

Well my problems were, after installing everything + vc6 + service packs I got to the point that I tried compiling HelloWorld.
But then I alway got a error in vc6; helloworld.exp (think it was that file) not found.

I gave up, tried a few times reinstalling ...
I might consider returning to c++ if somebody could help me ...

talk2sk 18 Oct 2002, 04:13

Dazler,

I actually typed out that miniguide on a reply and posted it and voila.. IE crashed. So just finished my breakfast and retyped the whole and posted it back as an edit of the first post.

Go ahead try it and let me know what happens.. Just started a new thread for people having problems getting started with this..

Ta.

Guest 18 Oct 2002, 04:46

How about P800.
I got not enough money to purchase Code Warrior :cry:

talk2sk 18 Oct 2002, 05:09

As far as I know, the P800 is based on Symbian's SDK V7... based on UIQ (User Interface Q??). I am not an expert on this, but feel free to discuss this too. Maybe someone will help you out. I will see if I can get some info too.. Meanwhile why dont you check out the P800 forum.. (ignore all those people wincing about the P800 release).. 😉

Dazler 18 Oct 2002, 07:22

[quote="talk2sk"]Dazler,

I actually typed out that miniguide on a reply and posted it and voila.. IE crashed. So just finished my breakfast and retyped the whole and posted it back as an edit of the first post.

Go ahead try it and let me know what happens.. Just started a new thread for people having problems getting started with this..

Ta.[/quote]
Thx !! No I jsut have to find the courage to install vc6 again 😉

talk2sk 19 Oct 2002, 07:50

Hi guys,

just updated the mini guide, I know you are all screaming for the full fledged Guide, please bear with me.

Regards
Karthik

MaleBuffy 20 Oct 2002, 03:11

Nice! That was all I wanted to know! Had trouble compiling for the phone! Now I know! Two apps coming soon 😃

talk2sk 22 Oct 2002, 21:49

How are you progressing malebuffy ??

As for me, I have had nightmares with listboxes 😊. Sorry guys, but the guide should be coming along soon, cant promise much now.. But soon like 1 week I guess.

Thanks

MaleBuffy 22 Oct 2002, 22:19

I am currently integrating Camera Timer to remote Camera to make it One app instead of two! I am realy looking forward to the Series 60 book, becasue the documentation of the SDK SUCKZ!!!!! 😃 Everything I do is experimental! 😃

Rafe 31 Oct 2002, 16:17

T'was an attachment I think. I'm sure it'll be added back soon, if not I'll find it.

JyriK 31 Oct 2002, 16:18

All attachments are missing because the server change operation yesterday.
I think they will be back soon...

Rafe 31 Oct 2002, 16:21

I wasn't able to port old attachement across I'm afraid. People will have to start again.

Rafe

I can retrieve the file but rather than dump 'em all across I'll get those people want.

Mack 12 Dec 2002, 08:37

Compiled my project in VC6 and it works just fine in the emulator. It is based on the bmpmanip-example. And when I try to make it with "abld build armi urel" it doesnt work. I get a lot of errors.

nmake -nologo -f "\Symbian\6.1\Series60\EPOC32\BUILD\SYMBIAN\6.1\SERIES60\SERIES60EX\BMPMANIP\GROUP\EXPORT.make" EXPORT VERBOSE=-s
Nothing to do

and then the list goes on for about 1000 lines

What have I done wrong would be nice to test on my phone (7650)?

Mack 12 Dec 2002, 09:50

[quote="Mental Blank"]To build for the 7650 you need to type "abld build thumb urel" 😊[/quote]

Tried that and it still gives a looooong list of errors complainig about e32std.h and other things ??

This is no fun at all !!

talk2sk 12 Dec 2002, 23:25

Mack can you verify that your environment variables are set right ?? esp check if you have run vcvars32.bat ( 😃 )..

Also first check if the compile for the wins works fine. 'abld build wins udeb'

Mack 16 Dec 2002, 07:24

I uninstalled everything and installed it from the CD instead of the zip file and everything works allright now 😊

Donno what the problem was !

Taeke 15 Jan 2003, 10:05

Can your repost the Miniguide please, cause I get a message: file doesn't exist. Thanks Taeke