J2ME, which stands for Java Platform 2 Micro Edition, is a comprehensive Java platform used to build embedded applications for mobile phones, television devices, industrial control systems, personal digital assistants, printers, etc. The J2ME platform offers a strong, flexible environment and incorporates resilient user interfaces, powerful security, integrated network protocols and broad networking support. J2ME applications utilize native device potential, in spite of being portable on a plethora of embedded devices. Around more than 2 billion embedded devices around the World are powered by J2ME.
J2ME was originally developed by Sun Microsystems, which later was acquired by Oracle Corporation. It targets those devices which are small and with less power; like few Megabytes of RAM and a processor less powerful than those of a regular desktop PC.
J2ME Profiles
J2ME shelters a predefined set of profiles, each profile targeting a specific category of devices and Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to support its execution. Profile is a layer put into practice above the configuration. J2ME systems are developed for a particular profile, as profiles are pulled together for a particular configuration.
Profiles define a predefined set of Java API classes which can be employed by any J2ME systems. A device that employs a profile or numerous profiles has to be in agreement to put into practice all the defined features and Java API classes.
Various profiles are Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP), Foundation Profile, Personal Profile, RMI Profile and PDA Profile.
J2ME Configurations
J2ME provide configurations, which define predefined set of characteristics of the Java virtual machine, Java language and Java API classes for every configuration environment. Configurations define a bare minimum platform for devices with analogous requirements on overall memory availability and CPU processing power; hence, manufacturers or content providers can anticipate standard availability on all devices of the equivalent category.
The two configurations offered under J2ME are Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) and Connected Device Configuration (CDC). CLDC primarily targets the smaller set of devices in the market, like mobile phones or PDAs. Whereas, CDC targets consumer devices requiring more power, like Internet Televisions, Communicators, Television Set-top boxes, etc.
Conclusion
The overall offering of the robust and secure J2ME platform, with inclusive support from developers and companies around the globe, will ensure a continuous evolution of embedded devices for the consumers around the world.
