Getting Started

Getting up and running with the SNAP Mobile SDK is simple and straightforward. This page provides the information you’ll need to get started, as well as links to information that’ll be useful in your development work.

What skills do I need to use the SNAP Mobile SDK?

To make the most of the SNAP Mobile SDK, you should be familiar with the development of Java™ applications for devices that conform to the MIDP 2.0 and the CLDC 1.1 standards. Familiarity with Java game development is also a plus.

If you are not already developing in the Java language, note that Forum Nokia has a number of resources that can help you get started.

For more information, visit the Mobile Java™Applications page »

What hardware and other software do I need in order to install the SNAP Mobile SDK?

If you’re already developing mobile games based on Java™ technology, you probably have the hardware and tools you’ll need. These are:

• A PC running Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows 2000 to install the SDK. (Once the SNAP Mobile SDK package is installed, you can move it to any computer on which you can develop and run Java applications.)
• Java™ SE Development Kit 1.5, for development, or Java™ Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5, for running demonstration applications.
• Sun Java™ Wireless Toolkit for CLDC for generic game-development and testing, with the generic emulator.
• A Series 40 platform or S60 platform Java SDK for game development and testing.
• A Java IDE, such as IntelliJ IDEA (recommended), NetBeans, or Eclipse.

How do I install the SNAP Mobile SDK?

The SNAP Mobile SDK is delivered as a ZIP file. In this ZIP file you’ll find an executable file. Launching that file starts the SNAP Mobile SDK installation process.

Simply follow the instructions to install the SNAP Mobile SDK.

Once you’ve installed the SDK on a PC, you can move its contents to any computer that supports Java™ development, including an Apple Macintosh or a Linux-based PC.

To find out more, download and read SNAP Mobile: Getting Started (which is also included in the SDK) »

So can I start developing now?

There’s one more step you should take before starting development. Not all devices that use Java™ technology are created equal, and not all networks welcome third-party data traffic. Before devoting development time to a SNAP Mobile project, you should ensure that you’ll be building for a device or network that supports SNAP Mobile. The SNAP Mobile Device and Network Test MIDlet that’s included in the SDK lets you determine whether the devices and operator networks that you’ve targeted are compatible with SNAP Mobile.

To run the test, you need the devices you want to test, as well as suitable SIM cards that give you access to the operator networks you intend to target. Now, locate the SNAP Mobile Device and Network Test MIDlet in the SNAP Mobile SDK and, following the testing instructions, begin testing.

Setting up the SNAP Mobile Device and Network Test takes 10 to 15 minutes, and you should run the network test for at least 30 to 60 minutes for each operator network you’ve targeted. To acquire information on periods of high or low activity on a targeted network, simply run the network test for a longer period.

For more information, download and read SNAP Mobile: Device and Network Test Instructions (which is also included in the SDK) »

You can also make inquiries about the test by sending e-mail to fn.snapmobile@nokia.com.

Is there anything else I should know?

You should also note that SNAP Mobile games need to be tested for compliance before they can be run against a live SNAP Mobile Community server. You can find more information on compliance testing on the SNAP Mobile SDK: Go-to-Market page. To achieve compliance, your game must conform to the SNAP Mobile Standard Game Requirements (SGR).

For more information, download and read SNAP Mobile: Standard Game Requirements (which is also included in the SDK) »

Forum Nokia provides many other documents to help you create SNAP Mobile games. There are documents for developers who are new to SNAP Mobile, as well as documents for developers who need more advanced information.

Access the SNAP Mobile basic documentation »

Access the SNAP Mobile intermediate and advanced documentation »

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