As complete beginner in programming Maemo devices, I was looking for an easy way to get started. Currently C++ is the only officially supported language for Maemo development. The Maemo SDK provides the tools and the Scratchbox sandbox environment. Scratchbox is a fairly full-featured Linux development environment and includes tools like like gdb, valgrind, ltrace and strace. Setting up the SDK is a fair amount of work. However, there is a pre-built virtual machine for VMware with the SDK and ESBox IDE all set up an ready to go. Still, all this is not exactly a dive-right-in toolset.
Fortunately there is a simpler way – Python. The N900 has Python 2.5.4 and Xterm, vi and PyMaemo. This provides all you need to get started. Just type in a program and you’re in business. Here’s the hello world app from the PyMaemo documentation
import gtk
import hildon
def hello(widget, data):
print "Hello World!"
def main():
program = hildon.Program.get_instance()
window = hildon.Window()
program.add_window(window)
window.connect("delete_event", gtk.main_quit, None)
button = hildon.Button(gtk.HILDON_SIZE_AUTO, hildon.BUTTON_ARRANGEMENT_VERTICAL, "Hello world!")
button.connect("clicked", hello, None)
window.add(button)
window.show_all()
gtk.main()
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
To run the Python program, use this command at the shell prompt.
run-standalone.sh python2.5 helloworld.py
Now typing on the N900 keyboard isn’t realistic. The Komodo IDE I use on the Mac has the ability to edit remote files via scp. Once you install the OpenSSH server on the N900 you’re in a position to directly edit files on the device with Komodo.
