Are you tempted to explore the hot new world of Wireless Application Protocol programming? Then
WAP in Easy Steps may be just the introduction you are looking for.
This clear and easy-to-read guide does an excellent job of explaining how WAP applications work and how to get started as a developer. The most popular developer tool kits are described, all of which are free to download and include mobile phone emulators to test the fruits of your labour. It then goes on to describe in detail all the WML (Wireless Markup Language) and WMLS (Wireless Markup Language Script) features you will need to use. Each language feature is accompanied by clear examples so you can quickly develop your own sophisticated WAP applications and run them on the emulator of your chosen tool kit. There is even a brief introduction to how to run your application from a Web server, and the perils of server-side scripting.
Once the basics have been learned, the would-be professional WAP developer will need more detail than this book attempts to provide; this is an excellent starting point, however, and will give a firm basis on which to develop your skills further. Even the experienced WAP developer will keep this book to hand as a clear and concise language reference. --Andy Wigley
WAP in easy steps is an invaluable reference guide that will equip developers to create web sites for the new generation of mobile phones. It will help them to quickly grab the WAP concepts, learn WML fast and get quick presence on mobile devices.
The first chapter introduces WAP (Wireless Application Protocol). It discusses why the WAP standard has been created and how the Wireless Markup Language (WML), and WMLScript operate in the WAP environment. The reader will also discover how they can use WAP emulators to create and test their own WAP applications.
The author then moves on to "Starting In WML". This chapter introduces the basics of WML and demonstrates the layout and requirements of WML documents. The reader will learn how to position text content on the display and how to change its appearance to suit individual needs.
A chapter on "Deck Navigation" illustrates how WML code enables the phone user to navigate around the deck moving between cards. It covers: using anchors; the DO element; adding labels; browser context; deck templates; task override; special characters.
Next, "Options and Built-In Events" are covered. This chapter introduces Options menus and explains the intrinsic events that are part of WML. The reader will learn how to create options from which the user may select and how to use WML-intrinsic events within elements. Areas covered include: option menus; option groups; onpick; onenterforward; onenterbackward; ontimer.
The author then moves on to "Variables in WML", and explains how variables can be used in writing WML content and how their values can be set and changed. Areas covered include: variables in content; setting value by refresh, navigation, selection and input; input formats; password input; fieldsets. Next, a chapter on "Tables and Images", describes how to display images and tables. The reader will learn how create images in the Wireless Bitmap (WBMP) format and discover how to use table layouts to control the phone display.
Moving on to "Environment and Security", the author describes how to set up a WAP environment on a PC system and how WML provides security. How to install a free Web server and configure it for the WAP environment to enable local application tests, is also covered in this chapter.
A chapter on "Adding Functionality", introduces Wireless Markup Language Script (WMLScript) and illustrates its use in the WAP environment. The reader will learn about WMLScript variables and discover how WMLScript functions are called.
Next, "Using Operators" covers the various types of operators available in WMLScript; arithmetical; assignment; logical; comparison and conditional. This chapter illustrates their uses with demonstrations of how to manipulate data. "Making Statements" is then covered in a chapter that discusses statement blocks within WMLScript functions. The reader will learn how to use conditional branching and how loops can perform in WMLScript.
The six WMLScript libraries resident in WAP-enabled devices are then introduced to the reader. The library functions, which increase script efficiency, are detailed with examples within a separate chapter dedicated to each library. "Lang Library" - details the functions for extending the core WMLScript language; "Float Library" - details the functions for enabling arithmetical floating-point calculations; "String Library" - details the functions for manipulating strings (a string is an array of characters each with an index value); "URL Library" - details the functions that handle absolute URL's and relative URL's; "WMLBrowser Library" - details the functions that allow WMLScript to interact with the WML content; "Dialogs Library" - contains a set of interface functions.
"Convertor Application" is the final chapter where the author provides a sample application, which enables currency conversion between the eight leading world currencies. The application uses both WML and WMLScript and the examples illustrate the different way in which two browsers implement the same code.
This easy to read book is ideal for those involved in creating web sites and for anyone wanting to learn more about the WAP technology.
