Glossary

• Application Management Software

  Refers to the Application Management Software (AMS) defined in the MIDP 2.0 specifications as well as the Java Application Manager (JAM) defined in the MIDP 1.0 specifications.
  The AMS is an essential part of the Java Runtime Environment in the MIDP specifications and consists of a program that fulfills the following functions:

  • Downloading of Java applications from the communications environment;
  • Installation, updating and deletion of Java applications on a device;
  • Start up, termination, pausing and resumption of the execution of a Java applications
• Cell Broadcast short message Service (CBS)

  A system for the batch sending of messages to a specified group of mobile phones. Used for news distribution and to communicate the same information to a large number of people.

• Class Library

  Module of a program that can be reused. By matching class libraries and a suitable JVM a Java Runtime Environment can be constructed for specific hardware.

• Connected Device Configuration (CDC)

  A configuration designed for devices with somewhat greater resources than those targeted by the CLDC (for example car navigation systems and set-top boxes etc.)

• Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC)

  A configuration for small-scale devices such as mobile phones and PDAs. The hardware and software requirements of this configuration are minimal.

• EmbeddedJava^TM

  Embedded Java based on the JDK 1.1 specifications. The Java API consists of a subset of PersonalJava. EmbeddedJava™ was designed for devices with even less memory and a slower CPU than PersonalJava.

• Embedded Systems

  A computer system that is loaded (embedded) into a device and that controls it.

• Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE^TM)

  An environment for developing enterprise applications (i.e. server-side software that provides a service to a client).

• Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE^TM)

  An environment for developing Java applications to run on a desktop computing platform.

• Java Accelerator

  Technology that accelerates the Java Runtime Environment by executing Java byte-code in the JVM by, for example, using hardware such as a co-processor (i.e. a processor that operates in conjunction with the CPU and enhances its basic functionality).

  *On the Aplix web site we use both the terms hardware accelerator and software accelerator.

• Java Development Kit (JDK)/ Software Development Kit (SDK)

  The JDK is the Java development environment. Since December 1998 with the release of JDK1.2, it has been known as the Java 2 SDK (Software Development Kit). It comes in three different varieties aimed at different markets: J2EE, J2SE and Java ME.

• Java Heap

  The section of memory managed by the JVM used by a Java application.

• Java Native interface (JNI)

  A native method interface supported in JDK 1.1 and Java 2 SDK. In the J2ME CLDC the so-called KNI native method interface is used.

• Java Platform Debugger Architecture (JPDA)

  A debugging architecture designed by Sun Microsystems Inc. and that runs on a desktop PC.

• KVM Native Interface (KNI)

  A native method interface designed for CLDC. It is defined for CLDC version 1.0.4 and up.

• Messaging

  Communication consisting of the sending and/or receiving of messages (text or binary data) via a wireless communications device such as a mobile phone. Messaging comes in two formats: SMS and CBS.

• Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP)

  One of the J2ME profiles. Specifications designed for small-scale devices such as mobile phones.

• Mobile Medlia API (MMAPI)

  Specifications providing support for audio, video and other multi-media functionality.

• Native Method Interface

  An interface that allows Java applications to call native code via native methods.

• Native Application

  Applications written in a programming language such as C which are device dependent.

• Native Method

  A Java method implemented in a compiled programming language such as C and which can be called from a Java application. They can be used to provide device dependent functionality or for operations demanding particular speed.

• Over-The-Air Provisioning (OTA)

  The procedure by which Java applications are distributed to a device via a wireless network (also refers to specifications defining this procedure).

• PersonalJava^TM

  Embedded Java based on the JDK 1.1 specifications. The Java API consists of a subset of the JDK 1.1 and was designed for household set-top boxes and PDAs etc.

• Real Time Operating System

  OS designed specifically with real-time operation in mind, such as phone calls. Such operating systems are often used for embedded systems with stringent speed requirements.

• Short Message Service (SMS)

  A system enabling the sending or receiving of messages to/from another person. Mostly used for one-to-one communication or within a small group.

• T-Engine

  An open development platform for embedded devices which was pioneered by a group at Tokyo University under Ken Sakamura. The T-Engine project aims to enable middleware (software that sits between the OS and applications) and application reuse by standardizing the hardware platform, real-time OS and peripheral interfaces.

• Wireless Messaging API (WMA)

  Specifications for messaging communications.