Preface

Table of Contents
Synopsis
Acknowledgements
Production Notes

This book is a guide to using Pyrite, a library which provides access to Palm Computing platform devices and their data using the Python language. It describes Pyrite's design and the rationale behind it, and is a reference to the contents and usage of each part of Pyrite.

This book is targeted at readers who are already familiar with Python programming, and generally acquainted with the Palm Computing platform. Experience with programming applications for the Palm Computing platform is helpful, but not required. However, if you are not familiar with how the Palm Computing platform works, I recommend reading the Palm Computing SDK documentation (especially part 3) and the Conduit Development Kit documentation. (Both are available in PDF format from the Palm Computing web site at http://www.palm.com/.)

Synopsis

The first part of this book, Pyrite Basics, introduces the foundation upon which Pyrite is built. The first chapter covers installation and compatibility. The second chapter provides an overview of Pyrite's structure and an introduction to several of the common threads that run through its design. The third chapter describes Pyrite's interaction with its environment. The fourth chapter finishes off the foundation by describing the plug-in architecture which is common to nearly all of Pyrite's other parts.

Pyrite's core functionality is explored in more detail in part two, Working With Application Data. The first two chapters of this part describe the basic interface to databases and data stores. Subsequent chapters describe Pyrite's support for specific Palm Computing platform applications in detail.

One of the hallmarks of the Palm Computing platform is its support for easy synchronization, both with its own desktop software and with third-party applications. Pyrite's communication capabilities are the focus of part three, Synchronization and Translation, which describes Pyrite's conduit and import/export filter systems.

The final part, appropriately titled Everything Else, covers all the topics which have not been addressed earlier. In particular, the last part describes the user-level utilities that are supplied with Pyrite.