Java 2 Micro Edition: Professional Developer's Guide [Paperback]

Eric Giguère (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471390658 | ISBN-13: 978-0471390657 | Publication Date: November 17, 2000

An in-depth tutorial on how to use Java 2 Micro Edition to program handheld devices

Although Java is one of the most popular programming languages, it is too powerful to be used on wireless, handheld devices like the Palm Connected Organizer. A miniature version of Java, called Java 2 Micro Edition, has now been created by Sun Microsystems to run specifically on these devices. Written by software developer Eric Giguere, this book provides an authoritative treatment of this new language. Readers will learn what has to be done to make Java workable on these devices and what strategies are required to write programs that don't take up too much memory or run down the device's batteries. The book also provides complete coverage of Java Micro Edition, including the profiles that define the capabilities available to various devices.

CD-ROM includes licensed versions of the Java 2 Micro Edition SDK, Waba, and Kaffe. Examples are provided that run on multiple wireless platforms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you take this title for what it is, a line of brief but technically correct overviews of different parts of developing for the handheld world, it is money well spent." (CVu - Jnl of the Association of C & C++ Users, October 2001)

From the Publisher

Can Java be used effectively on small computing devices? Absolutely, says expert Eric Giguère as he introduces Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME)—the new release from Sun Microsystems designed specifically to run on small computing devices like cellular telephones or personal digital assistants. Giguère goes on to provide an in-depth tutorial on how to program using this new platform, covering all the concepts, configurations, and implementations you’ll need to get started. He clearly explains how J2ME is different from standard Java and offers an unbiased view of the programming choices available for the rapidly exploding market of handheld and embedded devices. You’ll find authoritative discussions on a host of highly relevant topics, including:

-- Coding strategies for small devices and how J2ME lets you write Java programs that don’t take too much memory or processor power

-- J2ME specifications, including the profiles that define the capabilities available to various devices

-- The KVM and the history of its development

-- How to use the various J2ME implementations

Includes a CD-ROM with samples and SDKs for J2ME programming.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (November 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471390658
• ISBN-13: 978-0471390657
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,554,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Giguere is the author of (so far) four books and numerous magazine and online articles on computers and programming. His most recent book is Make Easy Money with Google, an introduction to building money-making websits and blogs via Google's contextual advertising program called AdSense. He's also an expert at wireless and mobile programming, and has tons of Java experience.

Eric has master's and bachelor's degrees in computer science from the University of Waterloo. He still lives in Waterloo, Ontario, where he works for iAnywhere Solutions, a Sybase company.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview book, but ignore the little code that is there, February 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Java 2 Micro Edition: Professional Developer's Guide (Paperback)

This is a great book to help you get a handle on the Java2Micro Edition. Need to know the difference between a Profile & aConfiguration? Wondering where PersonalJava fits in with regards tothe J2ME?

The weakness of this book is the 'code' aspect. Theauthor goes through various implementations with a Tic Tac Toe game,but fails to go through in any detail of the main API's that aren'texactly in the J2SE (Records, Connector, how to draw low-level, Highlevel GUIs, etc..). Also, after reading this book it failed to mentionwhich DataStructures are available. Also, the detail of theimplementations is either slightly out of date, very light orboth.

Besides all that, it is a good book (hell it's the only J2MEbook that I know). For an overview book you couldn't ask for more.Easy writing style and helpfull diagrams, but not overdone. I wasinspired enough to write a J2ME game...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview book, September 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Java 2 Micro Edition: Professional Developer's Guide (Paperback)

This is a great book to help you get a handle on the Java2Micro Edition. Need to know the difference between a Profile & aConfiguration? Wondering where PersonalJava fits in with regards tothe J2ME?

The weakness of this book is the 'code' aspect. Theauthor goes through various implementations with a Tic Tac Toe game,but fails to go through in any detail of the main API's that aren'texactly in the J2SE (Records, Connector, how to draw low-level, Highlevel GUIs, etc..). Also, after reading this book it failed to mentionwhich DataStructures are available. Also, the detail of theimplementations is either slightly out of date, very light orboth.

Besides all that, it is a good book (hell it's the only J2MEbook that I know). For an overview book you couldn't ask for more.Easy writing style and helpfull diagrams, but not overdone. I wasinspired enough to write a J2ME game...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to J2ME and small-device App dev, February 14, 2001

By 

Mark Chien (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Java 2 Micro Edition: Professional Developer's Guide (Paperback)

Working on a tight time frame for a final year engineering project, I needed to find a book that gave me an overview of what J2ME is, how it differs from J2SE, and how to develop applications.

This book did a great job in satisfying all the above. The book was an easy read and written well so that it was quick to read the entire book and understand the entire J2ME concept and what it means to a seasoned Java developer.

Eric does a great job in helping new J2ME developers get familiar with the current J2ME SDKs out there on the market, however most of the information is based on an older version of the SDK. Perhaps in his next edition, he can talk about the Zucotto Wireless Whiteboard J2ME SDK. They also offer Java Bluetooth APIs.

This is a must have book if you want to get up to speed quickly on the technology. I found that finding information on the web regarding J2ME was cumbersome and convoluted. The Sun website was confusing and does not contain the integration of resources necessary to fully explain J2ME clearly.

One suggestion is that the next version include more examples of MIDP or CLDC applications, especially developing GUIs and methods to avoid the absence of Floating-point data types and functions. Either the book or the companion website should list more J2ME resources that can be found on the web. I personally find it restricting to program in J2ME without the vast selection of classes in J2SE. Would be nice to find J2ME compliant implementations of certain key J2SE classes.