Mobile app development
Mobile Development Comparison
| Symbian | J2ME | Python | FlashLite | .Net Compact | Web-Based | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Based On | C++ | Java | Python | ActionScript | C#, VB.Net, Managed C++ | XHTML (WAP 2.0), WML (WAP 1.2) |
| Application Development | ||||||
| Learning Curve | Difficult | Excellent | Excellent | Average | Excellent | Varies by server scripting language |
| Debugging | Unknown | Excellent | Average | Unknown | Excellent | Good |
| Emulator | Free Emulator | Free Emulator | Add-on to Nokia Emulator | Unknown | Windows Moble 5 SDK can be Integrated with IDE | Many |
| Integrated Development Environment | Many choices | Eclipse, NetBeans Mobility Pack | Stani's Python Editor, PyDev | Macromedia Flash MX | Visual Studio 2005 | Many |
| Cross-Platform Deployment | Compile per target | Excellent | Limited to Nokia Series 60 | FL 2: Nokia Only | Pocket-PC | Excellent |
| Development Tool Cost | Varies | Free | Free | Requires Application | Requires Application | Free |
| Capabilities | ||||||
| Graphical Interface | Unknown | 2D, 3D graphics, Many widgets, Visual Form-Based GUI Builder | 2D Graphics access, some simple widgets | 2D graphics, Many widgets | 2D graphics, Many widgets, Visual Form-Based GUI Builder | |
| Functionality | No restrictions | No high-resolution pictures, No Cell ID, limited file access | Partial thorugh API: High resolution pictures, Cell ID | Unknown | Limited Audio Access | No restrictions |
| Phone Data Access | Full | Unknown | Partial through API: Calendar, Contact List | Unknown | Full | None |
| Runtime Speed | Best (Native) | Average | Below Average | Unknown | Below Average | Average |
| Crippled Providers | Unknown | Yes - ? | Unknown | Unknown | None known | Dependent on data access plan |
| Market Range | ||||||
| Developer Community and Support | Extensive | Extensive | Recent | ? | MSDN | Extensive |
| Market Penetration | Extensive | Extensive (also: Danger sidekick platform based on j2me) | None (Recently Launched) | Moderate | Average | Extensive |
| Installer Packaging Options | SIS deployment | Jad/Jar packaging | Requires Python Runtime installed | Unknown | CAB Files | N/A |
| Results | ||||||
| Speed-Critial Applications with a long timeline and options for significant development investment. | Best prototype-to-launch option-if it provides the necessary functionality | Easier learning curve than Symbian for initial prototyping and concept testing when functionaluty falls outside J2ME | Graphics-heavy options with a market that can support the FlashLite player | Best for deployment on homogenious Pocket-PC devices | Best when minimal functionality needed, or a web-interface needed for an existing application with no latency concerns | |