What are capabilities?

 

在SDK的文档上面经常看见

Capability Information

Required capabilities:

这样的字样，就搜了搜，文章如下：

From Forum Nokia Wiki

A capability is a feature of Symbian Platform Security, introduced on S60 in S60 3rd Edition (Symbian OS v9.1). For each of the capabilities, each running process (started from an EXE file) either has it or hasn't. Some actions, such as calling a server on the Symbian OS, require the calling process to have a capability. Whether or not the capability is required is controlled by the server that is being called: each server defines its own policy.

Also libraries (DLLs) have capabilities, but these are interpreted a bit differently than capabilities of processes (EXE files).When applied  to a DLL , a capability indicates the trust level of the code within the DLL. When the DLL is loaded into a process, the code is executed with the capabilities of the process (EXE), not the capabilities of the DLL. The capabilities of the DLL just indicate to which extent the code in the DLL can be trusted. As an example, an EXE that has a TCB capability cannot load a DLL that does not have the TCB capability because the lack of TCB on a DLL indicates that the DLL code is not trusted to execute under TCB capability.

 

List of S60 3rd Edition capabilities

Basic capabilities - approved by the end user

LocalServices

Access to local services, such as bluetooth, USB, or infrared connections

These connections usually don't incur any cost for the user and the user knows what services they are using. This capability is required if you want to transfer data over infrared, bluetooth, serial etc.

This capability does not give access to network or allow making calls. For those, see NetworkServices.

This capability can be used with self-signed applications.

UserEnvironment

Access to services that provide data from users' physical surroundings

This capability allows the software to record audio, use camera etc. This capability does not allow determining the user's location. For that, see Location.

This capability can be used with self-signed applications.

NetworkServices

Grants access to remote services (such as dialing a number or sending a text message, WLAN, GPRS), which might incur a cost for the mobile device user. 

This capability allows access to any network service not regarding the transport medium. You can e.g. make voice calls and connect via IP network.

 

This capability can be used with self-signed applications.

ReadUserData

Read access to confidential user data

This capability allows the software to read confidential user data, such as contact information. The information that is considered confidential is platform dependent.

For writing user data, see WriteUserData.

Note! ReadUserData and WriteUserData are not always symmetric. You don't necessarily get read and write access to same areas via them.

This capability can be used with self-signed applications.

WriteUserData

Write access to confidential user data

This capability allows the software to write confidential user data, such as contact information. The information that is considered confidential is platform dependent.

For reading user data, see ReadUserData.

Note! ReadUserData and WriteUserData are not always symmetric. You don't necessarily get read and write access to same areas via them.

This capability can be used with self-signed applications.

Location

Access to the phone's current location

This capability allows the software to determine the location of the phone. It can be determined via internal or external GPS, via network operator or other installed module.

Note! To use external Bluetooth GPS devices directly without the Location AP you don't need this capability. Use LocalServices instead.

This capability can be only used with developer certificates and Symbian Signed tested applications.