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Create a standalone application

A standalone project keeps its C++ source, build settings and icon together. It uses an installed Symbian SDK to make an ARM application; you can build without firmware and add an emulator device when you are ready to run it.

1. Create the project

Download the native archive for your host, then install it in your activated Python environment:

symbian sdk install ~/dev/symbian-sdk --archive symbian-sdk.tar.gz

For a source checkout with the upstream inputs already prepared, use --workspace ~/dev/symbian instead of --archive.

Then create an application:

symbian init ~/dev/hello_time --name hello_time --non-interactive

init creates the starter source and builds it once. ARMv6 is the default. Use --architecture armv5t if your target requires ARMv5T. A nonempty destination is refused. The starter displays a clock and responds to taps and Clear/Exit.

2. Find the parts you will edit

File Purpose
model.h, model.cc Application behavior and state
app.cc Window Server drawing and input
symbian.toml App identity, menu captions and icon
sdk-location.json Local SDK selection; ignored by Git

Window Server is the Symbian service that owns GUI windows and delivers redraw and input events. The SDK's startup bridge handles the lower-level entry path. For a tour of that path, see the GUI example.

3. Build and run

symbian app build --project ~/dev/hello_time
symbian app run --project ~/dev/hello_time

A run needs a separately supplied firmware image imported into the local firmware store. The emulator launches a disposable copy, so the stored baseline remains available for the next run.

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