Inside WAP: Programming Applications with WML and WMLScript - Softcover

Terasvirta, Tommi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0201725916 ISBN 13: 9780201725919

Publisher: Addison Wesley, 2000

Synopsis

This book offers a possibility to learn WAP programming. The book can also be used as a reference because it contains all WAP-1.1defined WML (Wireless Markup Language) and WMLScript commands. Many examples with source code make the book a good basis for the user to create his or her own services and solutions.

About this title

Review

One way to distinguish a technical book is by the gut feeling it gives its readers. Pekka Niskanen's high-quality Inside WAP makes you feel confident that you can, with study and diligence, make a living developing Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) programs for mobile phones and other wireless devices. The book's explanations of the technologies involved--primarily Wireless Markup Language (WML) and WMLScript--are clear and technically accurate (Niskanen had the support of a technical reviewer from Nokia as well as his own consultancy). You will have absolutely no problem following the author's stepwise approach to his subject languages if you have knowledge of HTML and JavaScript, and very little trouble figuring WAP out if it's the environment for your first effort at application scripting.

Niskanen's approach to teaching WML and WMLScript is a popular and proven one. He explains the requirement for a particular language element, shows its general syntax and presents a boiled-down example. Many readers will wish for straight language documentation better suited to alphabetical lookups, but what's here works. You will probably need to acquire--either through education or hired talent--the skills needed to develop the server-side components of your WAP, even though this book does a remarkably good job of introducing Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programming with Java servlets and Perl. The server-side material here should certainly be enough to help you figure out what you need and communicate intelligently with specialists. --David Wall

Topics covered: The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), particularly its client-side markup language (WML) and scripting language (WMLScript). All interface elements get attention, as well as WMLScript logic, events and communications capabilities. Server-side coverage goes to Perl, Java servlet programming and the Nokia WAP Server (which appears on the companion CD-ROM). Software examples were tested on the Nokia 7110 phone, the Ericsson MC218 palmtop, and a couple of standard simulators.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Inside WAP: Programming Applications with WML and WMLScript Pekka Niskanen

The complete WAP developer's tutorial and reference: WML, WMLScript, and beyond.

* Includes a detailed reference to all WAP 1.2 WML and WMLScript commands. * Covers WAP development with CGI, Java servlets, and the Nokia WAP Server. * CD-ROM: Nokia WAP Toolkit, Nokia WAP Server, Xitami Web Server, Perl 5, plus expensive source code!

WAP is the first worldwide open standard for wireless information exchange across heterogeneous devices and networks. With the arrival of WAP 1.2, programmers worldwide are clamoring for information they can use to begin developing WAP solutions. Inside WAP combines a complete reference with an expert tutorial on WML, WMLScript, and other key WAP application development technologies. Pekka Niskanen begins with an overview of the fundamentals of WAP development; then introduces WML, the HTML-derived formatting language for creating documents that will be viewed in wireless device browser. Next, he introduces WMLScript, the JavaScript-like WAP solution for delivering dynamic, interactive content. Niskanen presents all WMLScript commands and standard libraries, including functions, presenting realistic code examples. The book includes detailed chapters on using CGI and Java servlets to create versatile wireless applications. Inside WAP also introduces the Nokia WAP server, which can be used as a complete server for WAP content and applications, or as a gateway that enables WAP devices to communicate with other content servers. Book and CD-ROM contain extensive code samples that have been tested on diverse WAP-compliant platforms, including the Ericsson MC 218 palmtop computer, phone.com UP.SDK phone emulator and Nokia WAP Toolkit.

Pekka Niskanen is a researcher, assistant professor, and lecturer at the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at the University of Kuopio, in Finland; and a software developer at Acta Systems Oy in Kuoplo.

The authors work for companies around the world that are participating in different aspects of the mobile Internet including handsets, infrastructure, content, and services. The authors are all active WAP Forum participants and leaders. In this book, they bring together their expert knowledge and experience along with a worldwide perspective.

Edition details

• Publisher: Addison Wesley
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0201725916
• ISBN 13: 9780201725919
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 464