Java ME on Symbian OS: Inside the Smartphone Model

Chapter 2. Fundamentals of Java ME MIDP Programming

In Chapter 1, we examined the core Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) functionality and outlined the CLDC and MIDP classes that form the development environment. In this chapter, we discuss the basic concepts of the MIDP application model, its component pieces and how they fit together to create a fully functional mobile application.

The goal of this chapter is to build a baseline of information to be used in the rest of the book, such as a basic knowledge of application development in MIDP, the MIDP application model, commonly used packages and classes, the packaging and deployment model, and an overview of some the most important optional APIs. The information presented here is also useful for the Symbian OS Java ME certification exam.

We then look at a basic application example which summarizes the process of creating a mobile application from end to end, and how to run it on an emulator and on a real device based on Symbian OS.

If you are an experienced Java ME developer and familiar with MIDP development, you may want to only browse quickly through this chapter, before you move on to Chapter 3, where we explore Java ME on Symbian smartphones specifically.

Introduction to MIDP

There are three types of component (see Section 1.5) that make up the Java ME environment for mobile devices such as mobile phones: configurations, profiles and optional packages.

Figure 2.1. Basic Java Micro Edition environment architecture

Figure 2.1 ...