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Sunday, February 21, 2010

J2ME - Basic Introduction

Java is one of the most popular software development languages of current times. The languages is supported not only on conventional computing devices but it also runs embedded on equipment like TV top boxes, microwave ovens etc.

Small devices like hand-held computers and mobile phones were also the obvious platforms for Java apps to run on. J2ME i.e. Java 2 Micro edition is the name of Java edition that runs on these hand held devices. Mobile phones and hand-held computers are built in a vast veriety of configuration, hardware, operating system, screen sizes, IO capabilities and communication capabilities. J2ME tries to work on most of such devices.

To start developing such applications, you should understand the basics of the platform and how things work under the software that you develop for the mobile phones and apps.



Every device, mobile phone or hand held computer runs a basic operating system that controls the operations of the device. The definition and explanation of working of operating systems is beyond the scope of this article.

On top of the operating system, application software run that are written for that very operating system. Java applications always require a software component called Java Virtual Machine or JVM. JVM is required to run Java apps and interacts with the device operating system. This allows Java apps to be written once and run anywhere.

It is also important for the J2ME developer to understand configurations and profiles.

Configurations
As discussed earlier, dozens of J2ME capable devices are launched every month and each devices has different device capabilities and features. That can turn out to be a nightmare for a software developer writing applications for thousands of different devices. To standardize things and bring a vast number of devices to a commontn subste of capabilities, configurations are formulated. As a short definition, Configuration is a minimum Java technology a developer can expect from a number of implementing devices. For example a popular configuration is CLDC - connected limited device capability.

Profiles
Profile is a smaller set of devices and the related API for programmers to use the device capabilities. MIDP - Mobile information device profile is one good exaple.

You can click here to read more about J2ME, Configuations, Profiles and optional packages and APIs.

1 comment:

  1. Mobile cell phone programs are different from one system to another and one cannot develop an program that operates on all systems. With different organizations, the cell cell phone systems are different and certain programs perform with specified technological innovation only. For an example, an iPhone program cannot perform on a Windows Cellular or a Blackberry mobile phones system. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the perfect mobile system, before you get began with mobile cell phone programs growth.

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