So Dev

Eclipse and J2ME

Writing Java application rarely provides such much instant gratification as writing Windows application, and I am all for quick thrill (pardon my MTV generation attitude. Nevertheless, I constantly force myself to do some Java development knowing that it’s important to continue understand both Windows and Java technology in order to make sound architectural decision. And with me getting a Java enabled phone, I am more incentive to write some J2ME code that I can use while I am on the road.

My J2ME development continues with the StopWatch tutorial was following. The tutorial was originally come from the JBuilder 2005 enterprise edition. I found that tutorial simple enough to following, and also the fact that the Java developed in that tutorial can be compile in other Java IDE. I knew it because I tried compile to code in Eclipse 3.1 without any major problem. The port was not as straight forward as I expected, for I don’t have a best way to important the JBuilder project into Eclipse. I had to, instead, create a regular MIDlet in Eclipse, and then copy and paste the code across. I also have to remove the package information at the top of each Java file. Nevertheless, the port runs fine. I used to bitch about how JBuilder create applications which lock you in the JBuilder environment, but this time I think JBuilder does a good job my making J2ME development a real cross platform or even cross IDE experience.

I was also glad that the code I wrote so far is device independent. That means the code will run on almost all Java enabled mobile phone, and not just my Motorola E398. After I started getting familiar with the platform, I may add some E398 specific code, but I don’t envision that day coming soon since it will take me a long while before I can proficient in J2ME development.

I love zero installation application and software development environment. So every time I try out an IDE I always try whether I can put all the application in my removable hard disk and start the environment. With a combination of Eclipse, Java Wireless Toolkit 2.1 and Java2SDK 1.4.2.08 on my removable hard disk, I am able to do J2ME development wherever I can attach my removable hard disk to and without a need to go through installation. Of course, I need to find a system that doesn’t have Java runtime in order to make sure that this is indeed the case, for all the system that I deal with these days has Java VM already installed.

posted by Deecay @ 7:09 AM