Mobile Python: Rapid Prototyping of Applications on the Mobile Platform

Chapter 3. Graphical User Interface Basics

The native graphical user interface elements are some of the easiest to learn of the features that Python for S60 offers. We cover them here at the beginning of the book, to give you a smooth start in learning PyS60.

We explain the graphical user interface (UI) elements using small exercises. Each exercise includes instructions, screenshots and detailed code descriptions. These exercises should help you in understanding and running the examples presented in the subsequent chapters. We also cover some Python language lessons, which will help you to get to know the Python programming language by heart, through learning by doing.

In Example 1 (see Chapter 2), we introduced two native graphical user interface elements: the text input field (a single-field dialog) and the popup note. Here we want to show a whole range of them:

• note – popup notes

• query – single-field input dialog

• multi-query – two-field text input dialog

• popup menu – simple menu

• selection list – simple list with find pane

• multi-selection list – list to make multiple selections

In the following paragraphs, we look at these elements in detail and explain how you can use them in your own programs.