FAQ-0935 How do I work out which phones support a given Symbian OS API?


FAQ-0935 How do I work out which phones support a given Symbian OS API?

» Symbian OS » Developer Knowledgebase » FAQ-0935

Classification:	C++	Category:	Documentation
Created:	10/10/2003	Modified:	10/10/2003
Number:	FAQ-0935
Platform:	Not Applicable

Question:
I am aware that not all Symbian OS APIs are guaranteed supported on all Symbian OS phones. How do I work out which are the phones that do support a given API?

Answer:
Follow this step-by-step process:

1. Look up the function/class you want to use in the Symbian Developer Library. As there remain a number of undocumented public APIs, it may be worth consulting the latest version on http://www.symbian.com/developer/techlib/sdl.html. At the top of the relevant page in the API Reference section you will see the name of the .lib file (if any) you have to link against.
2. Search the "Symbian OS System Categories" technical paper for the library name. (It will typically be cited as a dll rather than a lib). Make a note of the system definition component which appears in bold font at the top of the box. Going back to the top of that paper you will see which system definition category that component belongs to.
3. Finally look up the system definition category in the "Symbian OS System Definition" technical paper. It is explained there what the rules are about whether the system components in each category are mandatory, modifiable, replaceable or removable. Details of the evolution of the system definition from v6.0 to the present are also included for comparison. Where the system components in a category are not mandatory, further information is included in this paper about the few cases in which phone manufacturers have exercised the flexibility allowed them to replace or remove components. This information will allow you to work out which of the currently available Symbian OS phones support the API you are interested in.

Note that the above applies only to Symbian OS APIs. Platform-specific APIs defined separately for UIQ, Series 60, etc. and phone-specific APIs are not covered by the Symbian OS system definition rules and need to be looked into separately.