Nokia today released the source code for its Python for S60 Platform software package to the global community of open source software developers.

Python for S60 is designed to enable programmers, ISVs and businesses to execute Python commands and run Python scripts and applications on S60-based mobile devices.

The source code will be made available through SourceForge.net, which provides free hosting to open source software development projects and claims to be the world's largest open source software development website.

Nokia said that it is attempting to encourage developers to take advantage of the potential for open source mobile applications development on the S60 smartphone platform.

Lee Epting, vice president of Forum Nokia, said: "Nokia is extending its commitment to open source software initiatives and hopes that its contribution of source code back to the Python developer community will drive further enthusiasm and innovations in the development of leading edge open source mobile solutions for the rapidly expanding smartphone market worldwide."

Guido van Rossum, creator of the Python programming language, and president of the Python Software Foundation, added: "Opening up the platform makes the phones accessible, and will inevitably lead to cool new applications and third-party improvements to the port itself."

Nokia's involvement with the Python open source community began last year when it made available the Python for S60 software package for free download from Forum Nokia, the handset giant's global developer support community website.

The software package installs to a S60 platform-based device, enabling developers to create applications with the simple and consistent object-oriented Python programming language.

Using Python for S60, developers can write Python applications and install them to a S60-based device which can then run the applications from the Python environment.

Python applications can also be developed to run as standalone applications with the selection of an icon from the device menu. Developers can also execute Python commands and scripts in the emulators of S60 SDKs.