Symbian OS C++ for Mobile Phones (Symbian Press)

Programming Symbian OS is a key skill for mass market phone application development. Whether you are developing applications and services for shipping mobile phones, or involved in pre-market mobile phone development, this book will help you understand the fundamental theory behind developing Symbian OS C++ code for constrained devices.

• A collaborative book, incorporating the expertise of over 30 Symbian engineers
• Comprehensive coverage of Symbian OS suitable for programming Nokiaand Sony Ericsson systems and any Symbian OS v7.0 based smartphone
• Also provides supporting material for Symbian OS v6.0 and v6.0 phones
• Accompanying CD includes demo version of Metrowerks toolchain for the P800

In contrast, Symbian OS C++ for Mobile Phones provides a solid foundation for learning to program this relatively new breed of devices. It covers a lot of material in a fair amount of depth and will help newbies to ascend the steep learning curve. Without this book, those new to Symbian programming will need to scour the SDK docs, trawl the newsgroups, and rely on kind souls from the UK to help with their inevitable programming questions.

I would have given this book 4 stars had it not been for several disappointing characteristics. First, there are too many authors. The writing style changes and information is repeated unnecessarily and in jarring ways. Second, the book sometimes repeats what's in the SDK docs, albeit in a consolidated form, without adding pragmatic insight and value. Third, it does not delve into some real-world, complex topics in any meaningful way. For example, the text quickly discusses messaging (SMS/MMS) but does not provide a digestible example of programmatically constructing an MMS. Fourth, it does not include Series 60 information, which is a shame given that the Series 60 is a very popular platform.

All in all, this is a good book that provides relevant, helpful information that will flatten the learning curve considerably.


Should've been titled - Programming the Symbian UIQ platform   June 20, 2003
 16 out of 18 found this review helpful

If you were looking for a deeper discussion of Symbian for Mobile Phones than the "Programming the Series 60 platform and Symbian OS", you've come to the wrong place. "Different" would be a more accurate word. Part of the problem is that it was put together by agglomerating works from various ( 18 !) authors. The writing style shifts from first to third person and back a lot.

The book rather briefly mentions Series 60 ( still the predominant UI among symbian-based smartphones ) and Series 80 ( Nokia Communicators ), and then moves on. All sample code provided by the authors ( downloadable from the books website ), is targeted strictly towards UIQ.

While the number of subjects covered( UI, file system, memory handling, Bluetooth, communications ) serve their purpose, the book just seems too haphazardly composed to be easily digestable. At least they did provide a few small applets which demonstrate some of the subjects ( strings, simple drawing ) covered, before they present their version of the classic Battleship game ( which in it's favor does implement a communication stack for multiplayer use ).

My ONE strong suggestion to the authors would've been not to ignore the Series 60 platform altogether. The last book for Series 60 left a lot of room for the authors of this book, to have tied the loose ends that the SDK leaves open, together.