FAQ-1200 How do I support a new message type on Symbian OS ?


FAQ-1200 How do I support a new message type on Symbian OS ?

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Classification:	C++	Category:	Messaging
Created:	12/31/2004	Modified:	01/17/2005
Number:	FAQ-1200
Platform:	Symbian OS v6.1, Symbian OS v7.0, Symbian OS v7.0s, Symbian OS v8.0, Symbian OS v8.0a, Symbian OS v8.0b, Symbian OS v8.1a, Symbian OS v8.1b

Question:
How do I support a new message type on Symbian OS ?
How do I support a message type on a new UI ?
What do I need to do to display my new message type (e.g. Instant Message bank) on Symbian OS ?

Answer:
Messaging uses a plug-in architecture that allows the flexibility to support new message types without needing to change the messaging server or existing message types. The architecture is powerful but complex and writing code to support new message types is a non-trivial programming effort.

Before starting it is essential to fully understand the architecture.
Support for message types is provided through four related "Message Type Module" (MTM) plug-ins. The generic Client and Server Side MTMs handle storage and retrieval of messages through the message server. The User Interface and UI Data MTMs are message- and UI-specific, and handle how the messages are displayed and edited.

A broad description of the MTMs is available in the Symbian Developer Library and overviewed in various Symbian OS books. There is also a simple (and excellent) worked example on Forum Nokia that covers the key MTM concepts.

While it is possible to create MTMs using public SDKs, Symbian normally recommends the purchase of a Symbian OS Development Kit (DevKit). The DevKit contains source for various MTMs including the email and SMS MTMs implemented for Symbian's Techview UI. The source code provides the ability to debug through the messaging server making it easier to track down problems. Much of this code can be re-used in partner "derivative products".