J2ME and WAP Technologies CSCI – Independent Study Fall 2002 Presented by: Kashif Syed

Introduction Introduction: WAP, J2ME J2ME and WAP: Together forever? J2ME MIDP and WAP Complementary Technologies Conclusions Bibliography

WAP WAP was designed to allow wireless devices to access internet and intranet applications WAP Forum was founded by Phone.com, Ericsson, Nokia and Motorola in June 1997 WAP Forum goal was to offer license-free standard to the wireless industry It’s a browser technology that allows user to browse WAP- enabled web sites. Limitations: Requires key improvements in security Requires Constant airtime for stand-alone or offline operations Limits rich user interface

J2ME J2ME technology is a highly optimized Java runtime environment specifically for small devices. It is NOT a replacement for WAP Benefits: Platform Independence Simple Programming Language Rich Network Functionality Built-in Security Model Rich set of Graphical User Interface

J2ME & WAP: Together forever? What does the future hold? Phone manufacturers will continue to build more sophisticated devices that will support and enhance services and the user’s experience. Java being an established platform, J2ME technology will appeal to the developers, which will lead to better wireless applications.

J2ME & WAP: Together forever?(2) Tools of the trade: WAP was developed on the established infrastructure utilizing the investments already made in programming, applications etc. Many WAP toolkits & J2ME Wireless Toolkits exists which will help developers to create feature-rich content and applications based on J2ME

J2ME & WAP: Together forever?(3) Future challenges and changes: 3G systems will provide high speed data transfer and multimedia data services. J2ME has been selected as the industry standard for wireless devices by the Third Generation Partnership Project.

J2ME & WAP: Together forever?(4) But is it secure? WAP uses WTLS specifications which has notable holes. Data is not secure when it is handed over from WTLS to SSL. J2ME is highly secured as it has built in sandbox. For more security, J2ME applications can be developed which make use of RMI technology.

J2ME & WAP: Together forever?(5) Final Thoughts: In all WAP & J2ME are must haves for those venturing into the mobile space. Combination of WAP, Java and increase of bandwidth will make internet access very easy and enjoyable.

J2ME MIDP and WAP Complimentary Technologies Wireless applications can be developed using WAP technology or using the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) Java plays an important role in both these technologies.  In WAP, Java Servlets and JSPs can be used to generate WML dynamically.  In MIDP applications (also called MIDlets), java is the programming language.

WAP Programming Model The WAP programming model is similar to the Web programming model.

Sample WML Document Hello World Output

MIDP Programming Model It is a mix of Java Programming model and the Web Programming model MIDlet or a group of MIDlets (know as MIDLet Suite) is described in a Java Descriptor (JAD) file. MIDlets run in a MIDlet management software. MIDlets remain installed on the device until they are explicitly removed.

MIDlet Sample Program import javax.microedition.midlet.*; import javax.microedition.lcdui.*; public class HelloMIDlet extends MIDlet { // The display for this MIDlet private Display display; // TextBox to display text TextBox box; public HelloMIDlet() { }

MIDlet Sample Program (cont..) public void startApp() { display = Display.getDisplay(this); box = new TextBox("First Example", "Hello World", 20, 0); display.setCurrent(box); } /**Pause is a no-op since there are no background activities or record stores that need to be closed. */ public void pauseApp() { }

MIDlet Sample Program (cont..) /** Destroy must cleanup everything not handled by the garbage collector. In this case there is nothing to cleanup. */ public void destroyApp(boolean unconditional) { } Output:

WAP and MIDP: what can they learn from each other? MIDP provides both high-level and low-level graphics APIs which are important for entertainment applications. MIDlets can be run even when the server is not available. WML provides tags and presentation attributes. It does not define an interaction model. WAP supports phone functionalities like address book. There are no comparable APIs in MIDlet.

Integrating WAP and J2ME MIDP WAP and MIDP are complementing technologies and not competing technologies. MIDlets can be integrated into WML page.

Bibliography Tim Fielden and Ana Orubeondo (InfoWorld Test Center). J2ME and WAP: Together forever? JavaWorld. December Qusay H. Mahmoud. J2ME MIDP and WAP Complementary Technologies. February 2002 Yu Feng and Dr. Jun Zhu. Wireless Java Programming with J2ME. Sams Publishing 2001.