Developing good C++ code on Symbian OS requires a clear understanding of the underlying concepts and the nature of the operating system. This book explains the key features of Symbian OS and shows how you can use this knowledge most effectively. It also focuses on some aspects of good C++ style that particularly apply to Symbian OS. With understanding and practice, the expertise required to write high quality C++ code on Symbian OS should become second nature.

The book is divided into a series of self-contained chapters, each discussing specific and important features of Symbian OS. Besides the fundamentals, the chapters illustrate best practice and describe common mistakes to avoid. Each chapter delivers simple and straightforward explanations without omitting the important facts.
The book focuses upon the core of the operating system, which should be equally applicable to all versions of Symbian OS, and user interfaces, such as UIQ and S60. Any important differences between platforms are highlighted.

This book doesn't teach you how to write C++ it assumes a reasonable understanding of programming in C++ and that you're already familiar with the most important concepts of the language. But neither does it assume in-depth knowledge of Symbian OS. It covers the basics such as descriptors (Chapters 5 and 6) and active objects (Chapters 8 and 9) as well as more complex features such as the Symbian OS client-server architecture (Chapters 11 and 12) and ECOM (Chapter 14).

If you are a developer targeting, or thinking of targeting, Symbian OS, this book will show you how to write the most effective C++. You will benefit from a greater understanding of the characteristic features and design of the operating system, and confidence in how to use them. And, however experienced you are with Symbian OS, there are always new tricks to learn, which is why this book will appeal to all levels of developer.

Each chapter gives background information on the technology where necessary, an overview of the functionality provided in Symbian OS and descriptions or examples of how to use the Symbian OS APIs. The author team for this book is assembled from Symbian's top experts in the field of communications. Each of them has extensive experience in creating and using Symbian OS, and spends every day defining, creating or improving Symbian OS.

There are four main sections in this book:

• Section 1 gives an overview of the book and its contents. It also provides an introduction to the communications functionality in Symbian OS, and a high-level overview of how it all fits together.
• Section 2 covers communications technologies such as Bluetooth, TCP/IP, IrDA, virtual serial ports and telephony. Each of these technologies acts as the underlying layer for the functionality covered in section three.
• Section 3 discusses higher-level technologies, such as the messaging framework and plugins (for SMS, MMS, and e-mail), the SendAs service, OBject EXchange (OBEX), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and OMA Device Management (OMA DM).
• Section 4 contains practical information on developing with Symbian OS, including information on setting the development environment up for various types of communications-related development. Much development can be done using the Symbian OS emulator - we discuss various ways of connecting the emulator to an IP network, and using an IR pod, Bluetooth hardware, and a phone with the emulator.

You can read an interview with Iain Campbell for more information, published on the Symbian Developer Network.

Written by Richard Harrison in conjunction with Mark Shackman, the book includes new and simplified example applications which exploit the functionality of the latest Symbian smartphones.The book is a must-read for all involved in Symbian C++ development, with both introductory and advanced content. It teaches the reader how to program in Symbian C++ and reinforces the techniques behind developing applications.

It also includes sections on the following:

• Examples fully compatible with the latest Carbide.c++ Symbian IDEs, guiding the reader through increasingly complex aspects of Symbian C++.
• Core concepts, resources, APIs and the programming idioms needed to create, test and publish non-trivial GUI (graphical user interface) applications.
• Introductions to some of the most significant Symbian OS system services, extensibility and the use of plug-ins and practical descriptions of the communications, multimedia and database services.
• Advice on the available ranges of graphics APIs and guides to ensure that the reader's application code is as device-dependent as possible.

Symbian OS C++ for Mobile Phones, Volume 1, covered application development using Symbian OS v7.0. Symbian OS C++ for Mobile Phones, Volume 2, extends its predecessor by covering the additional functionality introduced in Symbian OS v7.0s. The book covers the pivotal features of Symbian OS in more detail, and describes key new software features - such as the new Multimedia Framework.

Symbian OS C++ for Mobile Phones, Volume 2, describes the interaction between Symbian OS and applications, broadly following the application lifecycle. At each stage - for example, on application startup - it describes what actions take place in the operating system, what it does for the application and what it expects the application to do.
The book:

• aims to build a general understanding of Symbian OS, not just of a particular smartphone or user interface
• is packed with code and examples
• details advanced features such as user interfaces, files and views, multimedia services and communications, and messaging.

And includes:

• a colour pull-out of the Symbian OS system model
• a CD Rom containing the TechView Software Development Kit (SDK). An opportunity to get to grips with Symbian OS v7.0s yourself, using the TechView user interface emulator.

Understanding Symbian OS is a key skill for mass market application development on mobile phones. A new generation of programmers is taking advantage of this opportunity. Symbian OS C++ for Mobile Phones, Volume 1 is based on the experience of Symbian engineers and will help you get to grips with all aspects of application development from 'Hello World!' to fully functioning complex applications. The in-depth theory sections are an invaluable reference for experienced and novice programmers alike.

This book provides you with the ultimate developer guide to Symbian OS C++ programming. The elegant, powerful architecture of Symbian OS is optimized for the mobile environment, now and in the next generation, for the demands of advanced communication on mobile networks. Whether you are developing applications and services for shipping mobile phones, or involved in pre-market mobile phone development, this book will give you an understanding the fundamental theory behind developing Symbian OS C++ code for constrained devices.