Beginning WAP - Softcover

Soo Mee Foo; Etc.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1861004583 ISBN 13: 9781861004581

Publisher: WROX Press Ltd, 2000

Synopsis

WAP, the Wireless Application Protocol, has managed to achieve fame and infamy in roughly equal parts as "the Internet on your mobile phone" - a claim that has not matched the experience of some early users. Used well, however, WAP has enormous potential: the attraction of using existing Internet infrastructure to deliver timely information and services to mobile devices is undeniable, and WAP offers exciting opportunities to those writing applications for it.

Beginning WAP provides a complete tutorial in the creation of WAP applications using the two languages defined for the purpose: WML, the Wireless Markup Language, and its companion WMLScript. Assuming no prior programming experience, we'll take you to the point where you're able to write a dynamic application that uses technologies such as ASP, XML, and XSLT to deliver the best possible user experience. The teaching style is step-by-step, with examples and explanations at every stage.

About this title

Review

If you are a fan of this latest enhancement to GSM mobile phone capability, then Beginning WAP will tell you how to get your "WAP homepage" up and running. Well organised, the book begins with a few introductory chapters on mark up/formatting languages (WML and XML), followed by 15 chapters that take you through a step-by-step look at how to set up a reasonably sophisticated set of functionality. This includes "active" pages using WMLScript, all accessible through simple, text-menus via a mobile phone. There are some example applications that exercise the various mechanisms introduced in the book, eg: a banking application and an online train timetable. A set of fairly comprehensive Appendices also appear at the end of the book, including language specifics for WML and WMLScript.

The focus on development tools is within a Windows-based environment but this does not detract from the general usefulness of the book. This reviewer would perhaps disagree with the authors' statement that this book is suitable for non-programmers, however the tutorial style approach of the book explains aspects of programming in a clear manner and most people who have written the odd Web page using simple HTML (or have some very simple experience with programming) should be able to pick this up quite easily.

A nice book to get you started with this technology quickly. --Saleem Bhatti

From the Publisher

This book is aimed at several audiences. First, it's for those with an interest in the rapid development of the communications industry, but little or no previous experience of computer programming. Second, it's for those with some 'traditional' programming skills, and a desire to transfer their knowledge to this brand new area. Third, the thorough coverage given to the behavior of WAP applications on real consumer devices makes it a valuable resource for existing WAP developers.

What does this book cover?

Provides an introduction to wireless technologies: the what, why, and how of WAP Explains how markup languages work, and charts the evolution and purpose of XML Teaches WML and WMLScript from the ground up, assuming no prior programming knowledge Examines different ways of presenting and prompting for information, and gives recommendations Explores the behavior of WAP applications on real consumer devices, not just simulators Introduces ASP and XSLT as ways of customizing applications for individual clients All code and examples compatible with version 1.2 of the WAP Specification

Edition details

• Publisher: WROX Press Ltd
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1861004583
• ISBN 13: 9781861004581
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1000