What is the Most Common Programming Language for Mobile Phones?

[RadioRaiders]

I'd like to get into developing a few small apps for phones. I know some VB and C++, but since I'm starting from scratch in the mobile phone area, can someone point me in the direction of what language would be the best to learn? What would be easiest to run on all phones? Java? ...or?

What about Symbian? Or Android?

[dmapr]

Java would be the easiest to get into. You can get Netbeans with Java ME and start developing very quickly, it's a rich IDE that makes it much easier to learn quickly ) or another Java IDE of your choice).

At least in case of Nokia Symbian OS I think they use C++, you can probably download their development studio & libraries after registering on their development site. However, developing in C++ while in some sense more rewarding than Java in other sense could be a lot more punishing

iPhone uses Objective C and getting into development for it is not free, so I wouldn't start there.

I believe there's a .NET version for Windows Mobile, BTW, but won't be surprised if some tools or libraries will cost you money.

[RadioRaiders]

Originally Posted by dmapr Java would be the easiest to get into. You can get Netbeans with Java ME and start developing very quickly, it's a rich IDE that makes it much easier to learn quickly ) or another Java IDE of your choice)..

Thanks dmapr. I'm having dejavu all over again, I think I asked you this once before

I just got a Nokia N95, so I was looking into the Symbian arena. Theres a S60 SDK I can download based on Python and/or C++, along with a bunch of sample scripts to get started. But I'm not sure how many phones actually use S60, and then what's the difference between 3rd and 5th editions? (ie: can I write a code that covers both, or do I need different code for each edition?)

I'd like a language that can be easily used by all phones, I guess Java is a good choice. Since dmapr reccomends it, and I think I also read somewhere else that it's the most common. I'm definitely staying away from Apple. I'd like to stay to more open-source things like Symbian and Android. My programs will also be free, in staying with the open-source vibe

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by RadioRaiders I'd like to get into developing a few small apps for phones. I know some VB and C++, but since I'm starting from scratch in the mobile phone area, can someone point me in the direction of what language would be the best to learn? What would be easiest to run on all phones? Java? ...or? What about Symbian? Or Android?

RR - I know you saw the article I posted (How to choose a mobile development platform) that speaks to this topic. The key section being:

Like it or not, the mobile platform you choose will largely determine the tools you will use to develop your apps. Java ME gives you access to a wide range of standard handsets, but when it comes to smartphones you'll generally want to code to higher-level APIs. Often these are proprietary and cater to specific languages, which may not include Java. For example, you develop iPhone apps in Objective-C, while Symbian and Windows Mobile call for C++. In turn, the IDE you will use will follow from the language: Eclipse for Android development, Visual Studio for Windows Mobile, Xcode for iPhone, and so on.

As dmapr said, the Netbeans IDE, including the "NetBeans IDE Bundle for Mobility" is a popular choice. The only other free IDE you might consider is Eclipse. Like Netbeans, Eclipse supports a wide range of languages/compilers/interpreters, but is primarily used for Java. Eclipse is the supported environment for Android development. According to Wikipedia:

The Android SDK includes a comprehensive set of development tools.[87] These include a debugger, libraries, a handset emulator (based on QEMU), documentation, sample code, and tutorials. Currently supported development platforms include x86-architecture computers running Linux (any modern desktop Linux Distribution), Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later, Windows XP or Vista. Requirements also include Java Development Kit, Apache Ant, and Python 2.2 or later. The officially supported integrated development environment (IDE) is Eclipse (3.2 or later) using the Android Development Tools (ADT) Plugin, though developers may use any text editor to edit Java and XML files then use command line tools to create, build and debug Android applications.

I learned from the Wikipedia article that there are a number of criticisms of the Android development methodology, including the following:

Android does not use established Java standards, i.e. Java SE and ME. This prevents compatibility among Java applications written for those platforms and those for the Android platform. Android only reuses the Java language syntax, but does not provide the full-class libraries and APIs bundled with Java SE or ME.

SW

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by RadioRaiders Thanks dmapr. I'm having dejavu all over again, I think I asked you this once before I just got a Nokia N95, so I was looking into the Symbian arena. Theres a S60 SDK I can download based on Python and/or C++, along with a bunch of sample scripts to get started. But I'm not sure how many phones actually use S60, and then what's the difference between 3rd and 5th editions? (ie: can I write a code that covers both, or do I need different code for each edition?) I'd like a language that can be easily used by all phones, I guess Java is a good choice. Since dmapr reccomends it, and I think I also read somewhere else that it's the most common. I'm definitely staying away from Apple. I'd like to stay to more open-source things like Symbian and Android. My programs will also be free, in staying with the open-source vibe

I'm having amnesia, I don't remember you being so specific before Not up to speed with S60 enough to say if FP5 is backwards compatible with FP3 But Nokia development forums are generally pretty good with info.

Originally Posted by SteveW As dmapr said, the Netbeans IDE, including the "NetBeans IDE Bundle for Mobility" is a popular choice. The only other free IDE you might consider is Eclipse. Like Netbeans, Eclipse supports a wide range of languages/compilers/interpreters, but is primarily used for Java. Eclipse is the supported environment for Android development. According to Wikipedia: SW

In light of what RR said about wanting his programs be open source, Intellij IDEA is another great (probably the best) Java IDE. Unlike Netbeans & Eclipse it's Java-only, no additional languages plug-ins, but it has more Java tools than either of the other two. It can be had for free for open-source development, if certain criteria are met — IMHO, worth looking into.

[RadioRaiders]

Originally Posted by SteveW RR - I know you saw the article I posted (How to choose a mobile development platform) that speaks to this topic. The key section being: SW

Steve: thanks, yea, that was an interesting article, and timely for me since I was just thinking about the topic. And good advice in that section you point out. I think I'll have to take 2 tracks, C++ for Symbian/WM, and Java for the rest.

Originally Posted by dmapr I'm having amnesia, I don't remember you being so specific before .

I'm pretty sure you mentioned the Java Netbeans to me once before ...it sounds familiar... I think I started looking into it and then dropped the ball for some reason (usually lack of time )

One other question: I guess Java is a good platform for games, since it can run in it's own little "Java Bubble", but can programs in Java also reach into the phone and get parameters like signal strength, MAC address, GPS data, etc? Or would something written specificly for the phones OS be needed? (ie: can a Java program get the signal strength on a Nokia N95? or would I need to write a program in Symbian S60 3rd edition to do that?)

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by RadioRaiders Steve: thanks, yea, that was an interesting article, and timely for me since I was just thinking about the topic. And good advice in that section you point out. I think I'll have to take 2 tracks, C++ for Symbian/WM, and Java for the rest. I'm pretty sure you mentioned the Java Netbeans to me once before ...it sounds familiar... I think I started looking into it and then dropped the ball for some reason (usually lack of time ) One other question: I guess Java is a good platform for games, since it can run in it's own little "Java Bubble", but can programs in Java also reach into the phone and get parameters like signal strength, MAC address, GPS data, etc? Or would something written specificly for the phones OS be needed? (ie: can a Java program get the signal strength on a Nokia N95? or would I need to write a program in Symbian S60 3rd edition to do that?)

Netbeans mention: likely just as a Java learning tool at the time.

"Java Bubble", or "Java sandbox" or whatever you want to call it does not offer any direct APIs to access that sort of information. Heck, you can't even tap into T9 — meaning that if you want to provide an integral GUI text input in your app (as opposed to a text-box prompt) you're limited to multi-tap.

That being said, some phones (SE, for instance) may expose some of these as "properties" to Java Properties API. I can get the MCC/MNC, LAC, and a few other things that way on my K850i. However due to the nature of the implementation, it's not portable across phones. If that's something you're after, then maybe you need to put Java ME phone support on the back burner and concentrate on S60/WM as their native support should be much better in that regard.

[RadioRaiders]

Originally Posted by dmapr maybe you need to put Java ME phone support on the back burner and concentrate on S60/WM as their native support should be much better in that regard.

Yea, I think that's already the path I'm taking. I've only looked into programming Symbian with Python scripts, and it looks fairly easy (well supported). I'd like to make "utilities" (ie: signal strength, GPS, etc) and yea, for that "native" support (ie: programming for specific phone paltforms) looks like the way to go. I've started with Symbian, then will look into WM next. Maybe Android down the line.

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by RadioRaiders Yea, I think that's already the path I'm taking. I've only looked into programming Symbian with Python scripts, and it looks fairly easy (well supported). I'd like to make "utilities" (ie: signal strength, GPS, etc) and yea, for that "native" support (ie: programming for specific phone paltforms) looks like the way to go. I've started with Symbian, then will look into WM next. Maybe Android down the line.

I heard mostly favorable things about Python, although I haven't used it personally. I think you'll be all right with it.

[RadioFoneGuy]

I used to be pro-nokia until they start locking down symbian more, for example when you load a .sis app on Nokia you used to be able to install apps with out certificates now you have to have these apps Certified by the dev team. Just a though.

.net seem to be a trend picking up speed for WM most notable 3.5.

You cant really go wrong with Java as most phones can run java.