Nokia releases Python for S60 source code

In a move that's designed to support the growth and evolution of open-source software application development, Nokia has announced the release of the source code for its Python for S60 software package to the open-source developer community.

Launched last year, the Python for S60 Platform enables independent software vendors, programmers and businesses to take advantage of the advanced, developer-friendly programming language, and is often used in large system development to decrease software costs and meet aggressive schedules.

The Python software package was made available for free download last year via Nokia's global developer support community, Forum Nokia. The software package installs to a S60 platform-based device, enabling developers to create applications with the simple and consistent, object-oriented Python programming language.

A versatile and adaptable language, Python for S60 can be extended with dynamically loadable C++ modules, enabling developers to expose and utilise additional device functionality in Python applications. Developers can execute Python commands either through an S60 device-based interactive console, or via the keypad or remote Bluetooth PC connection.

Python Software Foundation president and programming language creator Guido van Rossum commented: "I was excited last year when Nokia announced its port of Python to its advanced phones. I'm even more excited now that Nokia is open-sourcing the port. Opening up the platform makes the phones accessible, and will inevitably lead to cool new applications, as well as to third-party improvements to the port itself."

"During the past year, the popular developer-friendly features of the Python open-source language have enabled growth of a dynamic community new to mobile development to write applications that are leveraging the potential of S60-based devices," added Lee Epting, VP of Forum Nokia.

"Now, Nokia is extending its commitment to open-source software initiatives and hopes that its contribution of source code back to the Python developer community will drive further enthusiasm and innovations in the development of leading-edge open-source mobile solutions for the rapidly expanding smartphone market worldwide," Epting concluded.

Nokia will release the Python source code via SourceForge.net, the world's largest Open Source software development web site. SourceForge offers free hosting to open-source software development projects, with over 100,000 projects and over 1 million registered users with a centralised resource for managing projects, issues, communications, and code.

More information on Python for S60, the availability of source code and a link to the project can be found by visiting Nokia's open source website.