Enter Java ME on Symbian OS
Once you've read Part Two, you can proudly claim that you understand Java ME on Symbian OS. Thinking about it, why can't you do that already? As you noticed, no new tricks were mentioned in Chapter 2. Java is Java, ME is ME and it is all too familiar. Even suspiciously familiar ... How can Java ME on Symbian OS be the same as everywhere yet more than anywhere? And at the same time? Well, it is true! Just to confirm again, Java ME on Symbian OS is still Java ME. Only, there's much more!
Chapter 2 defined the prerequisite knowledge required for this book. Having reached this point in the book, we can safely assume that you are familiar with MIDlets, MIDlet suite, JAR, JAD, JSR, LCDUI, GCF, RMS, WMA, OTA, permissions, and so on. (If any of these terms is unfamiliar to you, please go back and read Chapter 2 or another Java ME tutorial.1) We assume that you are not yet familiar with Java ME on Symbian OS, from a platform point of view. Java ME, the leading mobile development technology, exposes the strength and richness of Symbian OS, the leading smartphone platform, through standardized Java APIs.
In this chapter, we first run an application on a real mobile phone. Then, we consider additional APIs and which JSRs are supported. The next two sections discuss how the lack of fixed limits on computing resources and the powerful native platform give Java ME on Symbian OS more power. We then demonstrate how Java and native code can interoperate. We finish the discussion with a few more practical topics, such as Java ME management on Symbian smartphones and a preview of Chapter 4, and describe a structured approach on how and where to find more information about Java ME on Symbian OS.
This chapter is an introductory crash course. We assume that if you know Java ME, you are ready to learn a few things that will open your eyes to the possibilities that are waiting for you in the Symbian world. (Another title to the chapter could have been 'Very important stuff that you should know about Java ME on Symbian OS'.)
1 developers.sun.com/mobility/learning/tutorial
There are many Symbian smartphones. In many cases, giving a single answer that applies to all models, versions, manufacturers, and so on, is not possible. Attempting to give such an answer is simply is not the right approach. Instead, our intention is to direct you towards asking the right questions and to equip you with the right mindset, approach, tools and the relevant information sources. Knowing what you know, you can safely steer yourself in a direction appropriate for you.
So let's start the journey. There is fun to be had!
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