New versions of tools and SDKs support Java-based open source IDE
Nokia has updated a broad array of its tools and software developer’s kits (SDKs) to support Eclipse, the popular Java-based open source Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Support for the Eclipse platform is included in new versions of the Nokia Developer’s Suite for J2ME, version 2.2, and the Nokia Mobile Server Services SDK. In addition, users can now integrate any MIDP Nokia platform SDK into the Eclipse environment. All of these Nokia tools and SDKs are now available free of charge to members of Forum Nokia PRO, the advanced developer program offered by Nokia’s developer relations group, Forum Nokia. They will be made available to the general Forum Nokia community next month at www.forum.nokia.com.
An open platform for Java development, Eclipse by itself is a powerful IDE offering a wide array of Java development tools. The main strength of the Eclipse platform, however, is the simplicity of integrating additional tools into the Eclipse IDE as plug-ins. This provides the developer with the broadest possible range of advanced tools covering all aspects of Java development. Many of the Eclipse add-on tools are available as freeware, making Eclipse a very cost effective development environment.
Although only available to the open source community for less than three years, Eclipse has become the most popular IDE among North American Java developers, according to the latest statistics from market research firm Evans Data Corp. Among global wireless developers, Eclipse is one of the top three most-used Java IDEs.
“Eclipse is the fastest-growing environment for Java developers today,” said Heikki Koivu, head of Developer Platform Tools, Nokia. “The size and strength of the Eclipse community made the decision to support Eclipse in our developer software very clear-cut and compelling. Ultimately, this support will attract more developers to building mobile applications and services, creating a stronger marketplace overall.”
The Nokia tools and SDKs now supporting Eclipse give developers a complete set of software to begin creating mobile applications. The Nokia Developer’s Suite (NDS) for J2ME provides developers with utilities for creating and deploying MIDP 1.0 and MIDP 2.0 applications and can be used as either a stand-alone tool or an integrated plug-in to Borland JBuilder, IBM WebSphere, Sun ONE Studio and, now, Eclipse. NDS for J2ME is the most downloaded Java related tool at Forum Nokia, averaging approximately 20,000 downloads per month. The applications, once written, can be deployed to any Nokia developer platform SDK with MIDP, such as Series 40, Series 60, Series 80 or Series 90. These developer platforms provide common parameters and APIs across groups of handsets, creating volume opportunities for applications with minimal customization.
Nokia’s Mobile Server Services SDK completes the picture. A suite of server-based Java components, each with support for Eclipse now built in, Mobile Server Services SDK enables the development of server-side mobile messaging, location and presence solutions. Each of the components consists of a Java library to be used in the application and a development time emulator enabling the developer to test the applications without access to mobile infrastructure.
The Eclipse IDE offers additional benefits stemming from the versatility of environments that it supports. Because Eclipse is written in Java, it can be run from many different host operating systems, allowing tools developers to more easily support different hosts. Eclipse has already been deployed on a range of development workstations, including Linux, Windows-based and other systems. In addition, Eclipse is available to anyone free of charge, presenting obvious cost advantages over competing development platforms.
Eclipse is managed by The Eclipse Foundation, a non-profit corporation formed to advance the creation, evolution, promotion, and support of the Eclipse Platform and to cultivate both an open source community and an ecosystem of complementary products, capabilities, and services.