Wiley.Mobile.Python.Rapid.prototyping.of.applications.on.the.mobile.platform.Dec.2007 (Symbian Books), страница 5

It may be that the needs of local user communitiesdiffer and so local lead users really may be the world’s lead users withrespect to their particular needs. Further, [von Hippel 2005] argues thatusers generally have a more accurate and more detailed model of theirneeds than manufacturers. The information assets of some particularusers are close to what is required to develop a particular innovation.Users tend to develop innovations that are functionally novel, requiring agreat deal of user-need information and use-context information for theirdevelopment.Using Python for S60, users can program applications based on theirinterests and own ideas – even integrating local cultural aspects.

Userswith few programming skills can innovate, iterating through new ideasrapidly.1.6.2 Motivation of Lead Users[von Hippel 2005] also states that, for individual user–innovators, enjoyment and learning of the innovation process can be important.To program with Python for S60 is often described by people as funsince it generates reward and motivation through a seamless processof iterative development and design with instant coding, modifying andtesting on the real phone in the real mobile network.

People can easilylearn how to start coding their own mobile application ideas with hardlyany learning curve.1.6.3 Sharing of InnovationsAccording to [von Hippel 2005], users often achieve widespread diffusion: they often ‘freely reveal’ what they have developed. Individual users10INTRODUCTION AND BASICScan benefit from innovations developed and shared by others. Freelyrevealing users may benefit from enhancement of their reputation frompositive network effects because of increased diffusion of their innovation.Coding Python for S60 modules and making them public for sharingwith others is becoming a common practice.

The projection is for hugepotential if many lead users come on board to contribute.1.6.4 Development of Products by Lead Users[von Hippel 2005] states that studies have shown that many of the innovations reported by lead users are judged to be commercially attractiveor have actually been commercialized.Python for S60 allows lead users and creative minds to prove theconcept of their own ideas, ideas that fulfill some real needs and canpotentially be shared with others. In our experience from giving mobilephone programming workshops around the world, when we ask peoplewhat they would like to do with their phone, almost everyone comes upwith a unusual idea.1.6.5ToolkitFurther, [von Hippel 2005] says that the ability of users ‘to innovateis improving radically and rapidly through improved access to easyto-use tools and steadily richer innovation commons.

Companies learnto supply proprietary platform products that offer user–innovators aframework upon which to develop and use their improvements. . . . kitsand design tools . . . can serve as platforms upon which to develop andoperate user-developed modifications.’With Python for S60, a toolkit provides the S60 platform with manyopen APIs and a rich set of features and phone functionality into whichcreative users can tap. With a hands-on tutorial, such as MobiLenin, lotsof starting code and the help of this book, people can program their ownideas quickly and in a powerful manner.1.7 The Process of Rapid Prototyping with Python S60Python for S60 can be seen as an ideal prototyping tool. Turning an ideaor concept into code for a working software prototype can be done inweeks, if not days.

Many fully functioning code examples, such as theones found in this book, can be used as a springboard to get started withthe rapid prototyping process. Rapid prototyping with Python for S60may:SUMMARY11•save much development time•save many development costs•allow a developer team to turn several ideas into prototypes withinbudget and time limits, instead of building just one.1.8 SummaryPython for S60 is all about having one’s head in the clouds, one’s handsin mud and one’s feet on the ground. In other words, it allows you tocome up with ideas and implement and test them in a straightforwardand pragmatic manner.

Dive in, develop, share and enjoy!In the next chapter we take the first practical steps. We start byinstalling the Python for S60 interpreter on your phone and then createour first PyS60 program.2Getting StartedIn this chapter we show you, step by step, how to install Python for S60(PyS60) to your mobile phone. Once this is done, you can make your firstPyS60 script and run it on your phone.Since PyS60 (Figure 2.1) is not pre-installed on any S60 mobile phoneby default (at least not when this book was written), you have to install iton your device. PyS60 is available on the Internet for free download.To use PyS60, you need:•a Nokia mobile phone, based on S60 2nd Edition or 3rd Edition•a memory card for the phoneFigure 2.1 Python for S6014GETTING STARTED•a computer which runs Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux•a USB cable or Bluetooth to connect the phone to your computer.If you are not sure whether your mobile phone uses 2nd Edition, 3rdEdition or some earlier version of the S60 platform, you can find outin Appendix D.

Table D.1 includes information about all Nokia phonemodels that are based on the S60 platform at the time of writing thisbook. All models released after this book will use either 3rd Edition orsome newer edition of the S60 platform. If you have a phone model thatpredates this book (2007) and it is not included in the table, it is unlikelyto be compatible with PyS60.If your phone uses S60 3rd Edition, follow the instructions in Section 2.1.If your phone uses S60 2nd Edition, follow the instructions in Section 2.2.The descriptions given here are subject to change as PyS60 develops.If they do not work, you may check out the latest instructions on theInternet from relevant websites such as http://wiki.forum.nokia.com,www.mobilepythonbook.com and www.mobilenin.com.

Python is a fastevolving language.2.1 Installing Python for S60 on 3rd Edition Devices2.1.1 Download the Installation FilesThe first task is common to all platforms. You need to downloadtwo installation files from the Internet to your computer and thento the phone. You find them at SourceForge’s PyS60 project page,http://sourceforge.net/projects/pys60. There are many versions of filesavailable on that website.

The two files that you need are the PyS60interpreter and the user interface (Python Script Shell) for the PyS60interpreter.The file names consist of three components:•the name•the version number, for example, 1.4.0 (make sure you choose thelatest version, that is, the largest number)•the edition number (in this case, 3rdEd).Assuming that version 1.4.0 is the latest version, you will download PythonForS60 1 4 0 3rdEd.SIS (the PyS60 interpreter) andPythonScriptShell 1 4 0 3rdEd.SIS (the user interface).

Bothfiles have undergone the signing process that is required for 3rd Editiondevices (see Appendix A for more information regarding signing).INSTALLING PYTHON FOR S60 ON 3RD EDITION DEVICES15We have divided the following descriptions into separate sections for•Windows users, see Section 2.1.2•Mac users, see Section 2.1.3•Linux users, see Section 2.1.4.For each operating system, we have included a complete descriptionof how to install PyS60 and how to write and execute your first script.2.1.2 Installation for Windows UsersWe assume you have the Nokia PC Suite application installed on yourWindows computer.

It connects your Nokia phone to your Windows PCfor fast file transfer and smooth synchronization. If you have not installedit yet, we recommend doing so now. Most new phones come with theNokia PC Suite software on a CD. You should download the latest versionfrom Nokia’s website, for example, at www.nokia.com/A4144903. If youdo not have Nokia PC Suite available or you have no USB cable, checkSections 2.2.and 2.5.1 for alternatives.1.

Install the downloaded .SIS files to your phoneConnect your phone to your computer using the USB cable. Open theNokia PC Suite and select ‘Install applications’ (see Figure 2.2). First,install the PyS60 interpreter and then the user interface for the PyS60interpreter. Follow the on-screen instructions on the phone – for instance,select ‘Yes’ if a security warning appears on the phone screen. Also makesure the date is set correctly on the phone.After the installation is complete, your phone shows the Python iconon the desktop or inside one of the desktop folders (Figure 2.1). Yourphone is now ready to execute Python scripts. Let’s prepare a ‘Helloworld’ script.2.

Write a Python ScriptYou can write a Python script on your computer with any text editor. Useful editors are, for example, ConTEXT or PythonWin which arefreely downloadable on the Internet, but Notepad also works. Symbian developers can use Carbide.c++ with the PyDev plug-ins found athttp://pydev.sourceforge.net.Write the following line in your text editor:print "Hello world!"16GETTING STARTEDFigure 2.2 Nokia PC suite’s main windowAfter the code is typed, save the file under the name hello.py.

Makesure that the file ending is .py and not .txt.The file is now ready to be executed on your phone! You do not haveto build or compile it any way. However, it must be copied to the phonefirst.3. Upload a Python Script to a PhoneUpload your Python script to the phone with Nokia PC Suite’s file manager(Figure 2.2).

Create a folder named Python on the phone’s memory card(drive E: in Figure 2.3). Then copy the hello.py file from your computerto the E:\Python folder on the phone. Now the script is ready to betested!4. Test a Python ScriptStart the PyS60 interpreter by clicking on the Python icon (Figure 2.1) onthe desktop or inside the appropriate folder on your phone. Once thePyS60 interpreter has started up, select ‘Options’ (Figure 2.4(a)) and ‘Runscript’ (Figure 2.4(b)). Choose your script name, e:hello.py, from thelist and select ‘OK’. Your script should now start up and you should seea green line stating Hello world! (Figure 2.5).Congratulations! You have successfully written and executed yourscript with PyS60! To go through all the examples in the book, repeatsteps 2–4 for each new script.