.KEYWORD pecoolprod0302
.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
.TITLE Program with Simplicity
.DEPT
.SUMMARY Contributing Editor Steve Niles has selected Simplicity for Mobile Servers as PalmPower’s Enterprise Edition Product of the Month. The rapid application development software makes it easy to program midlets and servlets in a J2ME and J2EE Java Enterprise Environment.
.AUTHOR Steve Niles
Data Representations, Inc. (at http://www.datarepresentations.com) used the PalmSource Expo as an opportunity to announce the general availability of Simplicity for Mobile Servers. This new rapid application development software was shown for the first time in the Cingular Wireless booth. After learning more about this software, I was so impressed; I decided to spotlight Simplicity for Mobile Servers as PalmPower’s Enterprise Edition Product of the Month.
At the PalmSource Expo, Data Representations and Cingular built integrated server and Palm OS applications for attendees. Then they sent responses and requests via Palm.Net to a server based in New Jersey. The demonstration was designed to show how quickly and efficiently the network operates and how easy it is to program midlets and servlets in a J2ME (Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition) and J2EE (Java Enterprise Environment) using Simplicity for Mobile Servers rapid application development tools.
Midlets are the nickname for Java technology applications that run on wireless and mobile devices. Midlets are written to the MIDP (Mobile Information Device Profile) in the J2ME. You can download the development kit, and see specifications and other information at the J2ME technology page at http://java.sun.com/features/2001/06/golden.j2me.html.
During the demonstration, pulling inventory information from a JDBC (Java Data Base Connectivity) compliant database and returning XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to be parsed, cached, rendered, and displayed on a Palm i705 took only eight seconds or less on the Cingular Wireless Mobitex network. Simplicity wrote the application to use the network resources with the highest degree of efficiency.
.H1 Features
Simplicity for Mobile Servers consists of special versions of Simplicity Enterprise and Simplicity for Mobile Devices, and it comes with a built-in development server, thus leaving the mission critical server free from development chores. You can use it to add functionality to your servlets, including working with JDBC/ODBC (Java Data Base Connectivity/Open Data Base Connectivity) databases, XML documents, selecting form data, and interacting with Enterprise JavaBean Technology.
.H1 How it works
It has an open API (Application Programming Interface) that lets you create your own components for adding custom functionality to servlets. Simplicity works with a template engine, so you can separate markup page design from the program logic. Once completed, the application can be deployed onto an appropriate J2EE server. Component modules such as Form, DataBase, Table, EJB (Enterprise Java Beans), and XML Export are selected from a tool palette and then dragged and dropped onto the composer in a logical order.
Next you highlight or answer questions about the components properties. For instance, by dragging the XML Exporter into place it asks you to highlight what properties of a component to export and instantly generates and exports XML formatted code.
The next tool is an enhanced version of Simplicity for Mobile Devices. With this tool, you can create robust applications for any PDA, phone, or pager using the Java Technology-enabled MIDP (Mobile Information Device Profile) API. This special version of Simplicity for Mobile Devices integrates a midlet with the servlet. For communication purposes, it includes the Simplicity XML Transaction Caching Engine.
According to Data Representations, Inc., the XML Transaction Caching Engine eliminates the need to write a custom parser that accepts and sends XML data communication between a server and handset. It automates the transfer of data between the server and the mobile device.
First it parses XML data and maps it to the integrated MIDP application. Then it caches requests to the server in the handset if the server isn’t available. It also caches XML responses from the server in the handset if the server isn’t available. The Transaction Engine also features a licensing tool for the management of billing models for the benefit of carriers, developers, and Application Service Providers.
.H1 Conclusion
As Data Representations, Inc. says, "Just imagine testing the caching of a database operation on a phone or PDA when service isn’t available. A developer can disconnect the server and view where and how the data is cached on the handset. Then re-connect to the server, re-enabling connectivity, and watch the server receive the response entries."
Very cool stuff. You can learn more about Simplicity for Mobile Servers by visiting http://www.datarepresentations.com/products/mobileServers/index.shtml.
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.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on Data Representations, Inc., visit http://www.datarepresentations.com.
Visit the J2ME technology page at http://java.sun.com/features/2001/06/golden.j2me.html.
For more information on Simplicity for Mobile Servers, visit http://www.datarepresentations.com/products/mobileServers/index.shtml.
For more information on Palm handhelds, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Get your product featured
If you offer an interesting or useful product for Palm handheld users in the enterprise and you’d like it featured as PalmPower’s Enterprise Edition Product of the Month, contact Contributing Editor Steve Niles at steve_niles@zatz.com. Full product reviews are also available. Visit http://www.authorpower.com/stories/storyReader$34 for more information.
.H1 Easy, flexible article reprints
ZATZ now offers a quick, easy, flexible and inexpensive way to use article reprints in your marketing and promotion efforts. You can now get article reprints for a one-time fee of only $200. For details, visit http://mediakit.zatz.com/reprints.
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO
.DISCUSS http://powerboards.zatz.com/cgi-bin/webx?50@@.ee6fd7d
