How to write a FEP

This guide is adapted from material originally intended to accompany source code for sample front end processors (FEPs) TFEP1Plugin (a keyboard-based FEP) and TFEP2Plugin (a mouse/pen-based FEP).

TFEP1Plugin and TFEP2Plugin are available to Symbian DevKit licensees and may be found in the Symbian OS source in the app-framework\feptest\ directory.

SDK licensees do not have access to the source but should find sufficient information within the guide.

A note about platform security

Platform security, which was introduced in Symbian OS v9.1, brought some changes to the way FEPs are created and loaded. Propective FEP developers should note that FEPs now require a cabability of All-Tcb end should therefore ensure that they are able to achieve this before commencing.

The guide is divided into the following sections:

Implementing the Fep API

Floating and Fixed Windows

Simulating & Intercepting Key Events

Processing Pen Events

Synchronizing FEP Instantiations

Detecting Changes in the Environment

Interacting with Text Editors

Miscellaneous