Archived:Downloading and Installing Python on Symbian
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All PySymbian articles have been archived. PySymbian is no longer maintained by Nokia and is not guaranteed to work on more recent Symbian devices. It is not possible to submit apps to Nokia Store.
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Getting Started with Python > Download & Install > Archived:PySymbian Hello World > Archived:PySymbian Application Packaging & Distribution |
This article shows how to set up a Python on Symbian development environment. It explains how to get and install the needed files for development on Windows and Linux, and how to set up your mobile device or the Emulator for testing.
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Python Development Environment
Python applications ("scripts") are simply text files containing code written in the Python programming language and named with the file extension ".py". The scripts can be written in any text editor and can be run either from within the Python Interactive Shell application on a device or the emulator, or as standalone applications on your mobile device.
The Python on Symbian development environment therefore consists of:
- Text editor for creating Python "scripts"
- Python reference documentation
- Application Packager, which can be used to create "standalone" applications
- Python Interactive Shell application, which can be used to run scripts
- Python runtime that executes scripts (either in the interactive shell application, or as standalone applications)
Any text editor may be used. We recommend Notepad ++ for its awareness of Python syntax. It is also possible to use the classic Python python.org/idle IDLE IDE. Note however that the IDE can be used for editing, but not for debugging/running code PySymbian-specific libraries.
Python is delivered in installer files which contain the documentation, Application Packager and device "SIS" installation files for the Python runtime environment and script shell. Developers that wish to use the Windows Emulator can also download an SDK and Patches for Python.
Setting up for development on Windows
Download, and extract/install the following files
- PythonForS60_2.0.0_Setup.exe
- Python 2.5.4 (needed to run the application packager). Highly recommended the version for x86 processors, even on Windows 64-bit.
The Python on Symbian installer makes the following tools/files available from a start menu option: Start | Programs | PythonForS60 2.0.0:
- Python documentation
- Application packager used for packaging scripts so that they behave like native applications
- Python SIS files - that you need to install on the device.
You will also need to install your text editor of choice.
Setting up for development on Linux
Download, and extract/install the following files
- PythonForS60_2.0.0.tar.gz (Python on Symbian Linux/Mac installer)
- Python 2.5.4 (needed to run the application packager)
The installer copies the following tools to your computer:
- Python documentation
- Application packager used for packaging scripts so that they behave like native applications
- Python SIS files - that you need to install on the device.
You will need to:
- Execute files directly (ie run the Application Packager by executing ensymble_gui.py) as Linux has no start bar.
- Install a Python aware text editor (or use one already on your system)
Installing Python on your Phone
The easiest way to test your Python application is to run it on a real phone. PySymbian v2.0.0 is compatible with any Symbian device (based on Symbian^1 or earlier S60 3rd Edition devices). If you don't have a compatible phone, don't worry - the following section explains how you can run your scripts on the Windows-hosted Symbian platform emulator.
The SIS you need are available in the directory \PythonForS60\PySymbianDependencies\ of your Python installation (Windows users can open the directory from the start menu).
Using your PC Suite software, install the following files to your Symbian device (based on Symbian^1 or S60 3rd Edition):
- Python_2.0.0.sis - The PySymbian runtime
- PythonScriptShell_2.0.0_3_2.sis - Python Interactive Shell application for Symbian^1 and S60 3rd Edition FP2 (and later). PythonScriptShell_2.0.0_3_0.sis should be used for earlier S60 3rd Edition devices.
You can verify the installation by launching the Python icon from the device Installations folder. If you do menu Options | Run Script, you can select some pre installed scripts to demonstrate the power of python! The icon and list of applications are shown below:
Figure 1 Python on the S60 emulator
Figure 2 A list of Python scripts
Windows Hosted Emulator Development
While testing against a device is often more convenient, Windows developers may choose to develop on the Symbian Emulator.
Download and install/extract the following files (in order):
- S60 5th Edition SDK (Symbian^1 Application Development Kit)
- Patch for S60 3rd Edition, FP2 SDK and later (use Python_2.0.0_SDK_3rdEdFP1.zip if you want to develope against an older SDK)
Note that you'll first need to unzip the SDK to a temporary directory, and then run setup.exe. The installation will suggest you install Perl - this is only necessary for C++ developers; Python developers may ignore the warning. The patch will then need to be unzipped over the SDK, so that it overwrites the SDK's \epoc32\ directory. Accept all prompts during unzipping to allow this to happen.
You can launch the Emulator by clicking on the file [SDK]/epoc32/release/winscw/udeb/epoc.exe. On first use, the SDK may prompt you to register it. The process is straight forward, but you will need to sign up with Nokia Developer if you haven't already.
If Python shows an error message stating that the Python Runtime or PIPS Library are not installed you will need to install the Open C/C++ Plugin. When requested, select "S60 5th Edition SDK" as installation option.
Further information
The latest Python files are accessed from the Maemo Garage.
All PySymbian articles have been archived. PySymbian is no longer maintained by Nokia and is not guaranteed to work on more recent Symbian devices. It is not possible to submit apps to Nokia Store.
Article Metadata
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Getting Started with Python > Download & Install > Archived:PySymbian Hello World > Archived:PySymbian Application Packaging & Distribution |
Note that this content was originally hosted on the Symbian Foundation developer wiki.
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