[CoMoDev] Another way to do Java on PDAs
- From: David Beers <david@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <comodev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 13:03:20 -0600
Let's say you like Java and you want to "write-once, run everywhere" but your
definition of "everywhere" is limited to Palm and Pocket PC (plus maybe you'd
like to demo it in a web browser or freestanding on a Windows desktop). In
that case, it's *possible* that J2ME isn't the best way to go. Instead, there
are some people out on SourceForge who have written a whole Java class library
and VM that is especially for PDAs. It's called SuperWaba, it doesn't even try
to be J2ME compliant, and here's an interesting comparison with J2ME:
http://www.superwaba.com.br/en/swxj2me.asp
Some apparently nice things about SuperWaba (this coming from someone who has
never tried it!):
* The UI problems are much easier if you know you're working with PDA-like
devices. Look at the screenshots at the bottom of this page and notice that
apps come out looking like Palm apps on the Palm, like PPC apps on the PPC:
http://www.superwaba.com.br/en/vantagens.asp
* You can use any Java programming environment you like. No need to buy
Websphere Micro Edition just to be able to support the IBM J9 VM that Palm has
blessed.
* The SuperWaba VM is scarcely more than a third the size of IBM's 900kb bad
boy, yet it seems to do more of the stuff I'd think you'd want to do: there's a
fuller range of UI controls, support for floating point variables, plus good
support for PDA-centric accessories like barcode scanners and GPS receivers.
* It's free
Downsides of SuperWaba? Well, obviously you need to convince people to install
the SuperWaba VM. Maybe a slight bump in the road if you're selling consumer
applications, but not a problem for custom business apps. A potentially larger
downside is hinted at by the relatively low traffic and few responses on the
SuperWaba English language newsgroup:
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=pilot.programmer.waba&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wg
On the other hand, if your Portuguese is reasonably good you may find more help
than you ever bargained for on the super-high-traffic Portuguese forum. And
the French forum looks pretty active too. Who knew there were actually
programmers in Brazil and France? ;-)
But seriously, it looks like this platform is in serious need of some English
speaking evangelists!
David
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