Tuesday, 7 of November of 2006
To program for PalmOS in Java being used free tools
As we already saw in post previous, the possibility exists of developing programs for our Palm writing in language C, using only free and gratuitous tools. But as Josemar in a commentary of this entrance remembers well, we do not have to forget to us another great language: Java.
Thanks to the virtual machine Java developed by IBM, the WebSphere Micro Everyplace Environment, any MIDlet de JavaME programmed for MIDP 2,0 will be executed without problems in a Palm. For that they have not programmed using J2ME (Micro Edition), they only must think about it like a reduced version of J2SE (Standard Edition), optimized for movable devices.
Nevertheless, this machine is gratuitous for certain equipment, but of payment for the others. Even there are equipment nonsupported. So if we want a really free option to execute programs in Java in our Palm, we have another option: SuperWaba. There is an introduction to very well explained SuperWaba in PDAExpertos:
SuperWaba is a platform for the programming of small devices. (from now on PDA's). It defines a language, a virtual machine, a format of files .class and a set of classes bases. SuperWabadesciende de Waba and is compatible with this. It is possible to be said that SuperWaba is developed Waba but more. Due to the method in which he has been designed, the programmers can use development tools oriented to JAVA to create programs that are executed in SuperWaba.
The syntax of the programs written for SuperWaba is a subgroup of language JAVA, which allows that the developers that esten familiarized with JAVA can quickly begin to use the SuperWaba. The format of the files class (.class) of SuperWaba is also subgroups of formatoJAVA. Nevertheless SuperWaba drift of JAVA nor does not have to do with Sun Microsystems.
The language defined by SuperWaba, its virtual machine and the format of the files class has been designed so that they are optimal for his use in PDAs. The characteristics of JAVA that used much memory or that were unnecessary for the PDAs have been omitted in the design of the language and its virtual machine.
SuperWaba owns a set of classes bases designed to be smallest possible and even so to contain the functionalities necessary to write professional programs. It also contains a set of classes that allow that the programs written in this language can be executed in any platform that interprets the JAVA. By ejemplolos programs written in this language they can be executed in a PalmPilot and Ipaq like Applet, or independent applications in UNIX, WINDOWS, MSDOS and even in a calculator YOU.
Programs written in SuperWaba for Palm
The documentation of SuperWaba is very complete, and the list of supported hardware quite ample. In this page aid can be to install SuperWaba in MacOSX and Linux. As they say in the introduction, the passage of the API of Java to the one of SuperWaba is equivalent to which happens when happening to J2ME, so there is really no an extra effort that to do.
One third virtual machine Java for PalmOS, developed by own Sun Microsystems existed. Nevertheless, although still the instructions of installation can be found, the unloading page no longer exists, which makes think that this software has been discontinued. Nevertheless, in other pages (for example in Softonic) still it is possible to find it.
So we already know two ways and average to execute Java applications in our Palm. And like developer, we have the great advantage of being able to use the same surroundings of programming that is used for the development of standard Java applications:
- One of best the IDE for development in Java is without a doubt Eclipse. And we can use it perfectly to develop programs with J2ME simply using plugin EclipseME. If on the contrary we do not want to use SuperWaba either there is problem: the project SuperWaba IDE exists that adds functions to the surroundings which they facilitate his use, and to do that Eclipse utillize SuperWaba SDK is only necessary to follow these instructions.
- Another IDE very evaluated is by all means NetBeans, and to develop applications that only use J2ME we must install called addition J2ME MIDP Development. Also there is option to use SuperWaba, following this detailed tutorial in Spanish.
- By all means, there are many other tools of Sun that is worth the trouble to try, like the Sun Java Wireless for Toolkit CLDC, or the Sun Java for Toolkit CDC.
- And if we preferred a commercial solution by the reason that is, exist so variable options as Mobile Studio de Borland, for Simplicity PalmOS, or the Workplace Client Technology, Micro Edition de IBM, that facilitates the extension of applications managed from a central servant to the PDA.
- Finally, for the purification tasks, many documents in Internet exist that can be to us of aid, like this one of Palm on purifying programs using a networking, or a tutorial of use of the Java Wire Debug Protocol. The own Palm offers the possibility us jointly of using the simulator of PalmOS with runtime of J2ME for this simulator. This interesting documentation and many other resources can be found in the own page of Palm dedicated to Java, as much for developer as for users.
As we see the development of Java applications for movable devices is in the heat of height, and our Palm can take advantage of all this existing software. Considering that the new operating system ALP that will replace PalmOS has the possibility from the beginning of executing native applications of ALP, those of PalmOS, and the written ones in Java, this route of development seems to also have a very promising future in the future equipment of Palm.
By: Analysis
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In order to extend the information of java on palm, recently it left the news that Motorola tries to construct to a free implementation of Java ME in collaboration with the Foundation Apache.
Without a doubt the excellent news.
Greetings and to prove superwaba
It is a pity that does not take advantage much the capacities JAVA in PalmOS. There are very few applications MIDP that are executed without problems, even MIDP2, that no practically works
I have proven SuperWaba and is necessary to say that it is rather well, is very comfortable to develop small programs for PalmOS.
Nevertheless, for things a little “more serious”, the combination of the virtual machine of IBM and your favorite IDE (NetBeans in my case) are most efficient - on everything to purify
On the other hand, I clear the hat before Operates, to develop one of applications JAVA, - to my to understand more complex of the platform: Opera Mini
I feel then it but I cannot share your joy made Java in PalmOS. All the applications that I have tried until now on the machine of IBM in my TX have had more or less problems, including the mentioned one Operates, that did not do more than to hang itself.
Then equal Opera has not worked to me very well, and that each that leaves update I prove it to see if it goes to me better, but nanai… in short, Java promises much, that is certain
no application java me has worked pense well that was only but I see that not even Opera that according to says he is very stable in aim to see when it leaves something but stable.
You do not think that it is problem of JAVA nor of the JVM, is problem of which many things in account at the time of programming an application with MIDP/MIDP2 for PalmOS are not had.
The screen of Palm requires one more a more exclusive configuration (then he is not the habitual thing in a moving body for example), better control of events, lack of widgets… is so many things to consider and MIDP is “so general” perhaps that it is insufficient for our platform.
I have Operates in my Treo 650 and although a pair of times has cracked me, does not do so much as the Blazer… You verify dbCache, the maximum size of heap of JAVA etc…
By the way, Sun is going to announce in a moment that Java will be released under license lpg
They hear, I am interested in installing superwaba in the Lifedrive, but I do not see how unload it, anybody me can make use?
Breadfruit is something of info to develop with
SuperWaba!
Excellent Mauritius initiative