OPL, The Open Source langauge for Symbian OS, has released an updated Series 60 runtime (version 0.30) at http://sourceforge.net/projects/opl-dev/. Read on for the full press release.

INTRODUCTION

The OPL-Dev team behind OPL (the Open Programming Language) for Symbian OS are delighted to announce the availability of version 0.30 of both the Runtime and SDK's for Series 60 devices.

WHAT IS OPL

OPL is a high level computing language, that has a low learning curve and is very easy to pick up. If you've never programmed before, OPL is a great language to start with. The code reads like normal English, we provide a dictionary of commands online, and all the tools you'll need are documented and freely available.

For the existing Developer, OPL allows Rapid Application Development across a large range of Symbian OS devices, with access to the entire range of functionality on the mobile device through C++ extensions that can be called by one line inside the OPL code. From proto-typing applications, through providing the GUI, to controlling all the I/O as required OPL can be a script, or an entire application. It's up to you.

OPL was released by Symbian under the LGPL, and is a truly Open Source Language for modern day computing. Now maintained by its own dedicated team, OPL can open up the smartphone development to anyone who wants to join in.

NEW FEATURES IN THE 0.30 RELEASE

A full list of changes can be found in the accompanying documentation, but the major visible changes are as follows.

* Full compatibility for the latest version of Symbian OS (7.0s) in
devices such as the Nokia 6600 is now provided.
* OPL allows Full Screen mode, and control over all the status bars through the AppFrame.opx language extension .dll.
* OPL Developers can now use the built in Menu System for user interaction.

"Menu support on the Series 60 has been one of most hotly awaited additions to the runtime since v0.20," says Ewan Spence, one of the co-ordinators of the OPL Project. "Now that it is here, I am looking forward to see the OPL community can do with their smartphones."

LOOKING FOR DOCUMENTATION?

To go along with this release, other members of the OPL-Dev team have been working on the documentation and reference guides that have been licensed from Symbian. The resulting website (http://www.allaboutopl.com/wiki/) already contains a full list of OPL Commands and their syntax, documents
on getting started with OPL Development, a glossary, faq and other details. This Wiki based site is being updated with new information, hints and tips on a daily basis.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Email ewan@allaboutsymbian.com for more information.

LINKS

OPL Homepage
http://opl-dev.sourceforge.net/

OPL Homepage on Sourceforge
http://opl-dev.sourceforge.net/

OPL Reference and Documentation
http://www.allaboutopl.com/wiki/

Getting Started. Hello World in OPL under Symbian OS
http://www.allaboutopl.com/wiki/PCDevPrimer

The OPL Diary
http://opl.symbiandiaries.com/

THANKS TO THE OPL-DEV TEAM...
Rick Andrews, Rafe Blandford, Matt Croydon, Martin Dehler, Andy Harsent, Martin Harnevie, Domi Hugo, David Mery, Lars Persson, Ewan Spence and Phil Spencer.