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Introduction to Java Development on the Symbian Platform
by Richard Bloor
Posted March 04, 2002
Note: This is an update to the original article "Introduction to EPOC Java Development - Part I"
Since the release of a Java 1.1.4 JVM for EPOC R5 in 1999 Symbian have been working towards making Java the development language of choice for the Symbian platform. The release of Version 6 of the platform made some significant steps towards this goal, with inclusion of PersonalJava, a reference implementation of JavaPhone and a visual interface to some of the application deployment tools.
Most recently Symbian have announced that they have licensed ARM's Jazelle technology, the first company to do so. Jazelle allows Java bytecode to be run directly on an ARM processor without a JVM. This not only improves performance but saves significantly on memory making Symbian an even more attractive platform for Java deployment.
When V6 of the Symbian platform was first released there was no hardware on which to run applications. Now the Nokia 9210 has been release and reliable sources suggest several more devices will be available by the end of this year (2001) or early next. It therefore seemed timely to update our tutorial on Java development for EPOC to cover the latest advances.
The Symbian Java Challenge
The Symbian platform presents the Java developer with a number of challenges because of several differences from the more familiar PC environment. The challenges include:
- allowing for the look and feel guidelines for each DFRD,
- limited screen size,
- limited system resources, and
- the Symbian platform application installation and launching mechanism.
In this article we will review these challenges by:
- looking briefly at the environmental features and issues which need to be considered,
- review the unique process associated with running and installing an application.
Then finally we take a look at what new features Symbian will be adding to their Java implementation in the future.
The two tools essential for developing Java for the Symbian platform are a Symbian platform Java SDK and a Java development environment for Java 1.1.x.
Symbian Platform SDKs
Each of the DFRDs has its own Java SDK, however at the time of writing only the Crystal and Quartz Java SDK are available.
The Quartz SDK can be obtained by registering on the Symbian Developer Network web site after which it is available for downloading. (You can also order the SDKs on CD-ROM from Symbian for a small handling charge.)
Symbian have not yet released a generic SDK for the Crystal DFRD, however Nokia have made available a version targeted to their recently launched 9210 communicator. The SDK is available to approved developers by applying on the Forum Nokia and is posted out on CD.
Each SDK contains an emulator for its DFRD. This is accompanied by full documentation, some example programs and the utilities for creating program icons, the files required to run the application, help and installation files.
To run any of the SDKs Symbian recommended the following minimum specification PC:
- 400 Mhz Pentium processor,
- 128Mb RAM,
- 500 MB of free disk space, and
- Windows NT 4 (although Windows 98 can be used).
In addition, to view the on-line documentation a Web browser supporting frames is required and for browsing the HTMLHelp file Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4 or higher is needed.
Registering on the Symbian Developer Network also gives access to a number of other useful resources, including a Java knowledgebase, white papers, additional examples and utilities. The Nokia Forum contains both complementary and additional information, including style guides for 9210 development, FAQs and a discussion forum.
Java SDK
A Java development tool supporting up to Java 1.1.8 can be obtained from SUN or any commercial Java ADE supporting PersonalJava can be used.
Next: Symbian Platform Java Fundamentals
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