Inside WAP: Programming Applications with WML and WMLScript [Paperback]

Pekka Niskanen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201725916 | ISBN-13: 978-0201725919 | Publication Date: December 15, 2000

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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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 telephones and other wireless devices. The book's explanations of the technologies that are 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. If you have knowledge of HTML and JavaScript, you'll have absolutely no problem following the author's stepwise approach to his subject languages--and very little trouble figuring out WAP, 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 that's better suited to alphabetical lookups, but what's here works. Probably, you'll need to acquire--either through education or hired talent--the skills that are 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 certainly should be enough to help you both 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 telephone, the Ericsson MC218 palmtop, and a couple of standard simulators.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Finnish

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (December 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201725916
• ISBN-13: 978-0201725919
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,370,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some reviews misleading, April 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Inside WAP: Programming Applications with WML and WMLScript (Paperback)

Previous reviews are somewhat misleading: One claims that software provided with the book comes without a licence - in fact the readme on the CD gives clear and simple instructions for obtaining the necessary licence (takes about 60 seconds). Another criticizes the book for only testing applications for use with Nokia and Ericsson handsets - in fact, as a glance at the back cover could tell you, every example in the book was also tested on a Phone.com (as was) emulator.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete package for self-study, September 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Inside WAP: Programming Applications with WML and WMLScript (Paperback)

This book presents in 430 pages an easy and efficient way oflearning WAP programming. It can also be used as a reference, as itcovers all WML and WMLScript commands in the WAPspecifications. Numerous examples (including 90 pages of Perl-CGI and35 pages of Java Servlets) with source code visualize the process andform a basis for the reader's own implementations. Excellent readingfor beginners, students, lecturers and professionals. END

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A complete waste of time for US developers, October 16, 2001

By 

Gerald Isaacs (Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside WAP: Programming Applications with WML and WMLScript (Paperback)

I completely agree with the reviewer that mentions the book is very Euro-centric. For domenstic developers, what's needed is coverage of Openwave browsers and HDML migration. Try "Dynamic WAP application Development" instead -- it's a nice reference to issues significant to the U.S. market.