WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

Unit 1
Structure 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

Introduction to WML and WAP

1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12

Introduction Objectives WML (Wireless Markup Language) WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) Optimization of WAP Protocols for Wireless Web Security Model The WAP Toolkit Software Phone simulations Editors Debugging aids Setting the MIME Types WAP and M-Commerce Future of WAP Summary Terminal Questions Answers

1.1 Introduction
In the previous semesters you have studied HTML, JavaScript and XML, The knowledge of these concepts are required to understand WML .In this unit, we are going to study about the need of WML and WAP standards for digital mobile phones. WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol. It is an application communication protocol used to access services and information. WAP is inherited from the Internet standards. It is for handheld devices such as mobile phones and it is a protocol designed for micro browsers. WAP enables the creating of web applications for mobile devices. WAP uses the mark-up language WML (not HTML). WML is defined as an XML 1.0 application. The WAP protocol is the leading standard for information services on wireless terminals like digital mobile phones. WML is the language used to create pages to be displayed in a WAP browser.

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 1

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

Objectives After studying this unit, you should be able to explain how WML differs from HTML. describe the need of WML for WAP based networks.

discuss on WAP toolkit software. discuss on MIME types for WAP. configure the phone simulations for WAP Toolkit.

1.2 WML (Wireless Markup Language)

WML is a mark-up language inherited from HTML, but is based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language).so it is much stricter than HTML. WML is used to create pages that can be displayed in a WAP browser or we can say WML is the HTML of WAP browsers and is transmitted via the HTTP protocol. WML uses WMLScript to run simple code on the client. WMLScript is a light JavaScript language. However, WML scripts are not embedded in the WML Pages. Which only contain references to script URLs. WML scripts need to be compiled into byte code on a server before they can run in a WAP browser. WML is built specifically for communicating across WAP-based networks, and is based upon XML Like HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language). It is at first glance similar to HTML, but is also a much more strictly written language. To make it possible for web pages to be read from a WAP-enabled device, WML must be used. The WML coder determines within the code what parts of the web page are viewable to the device, and what are not. For example, it would not be too advantageous for a 468x60 pixel banner to be loaded into the small screen of a WAP device, due to size, color and bandwidth restraints. However, certain parts of the text may be made available to the device. The advantage of the WML language is the fact that, since it is a subset of XML, developer's can easily kill two birds with one stone by building both the web page and wireless device page simultaneously. While this is still possible with HDML code, it is certainly not as obvious and workarounds must be introduced.
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 2

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

1.3 WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is an industry-wide specification for applications that operate over wireless networks, with particular emphasis on applications for mobile devices, especially mobile phones. The standards are published by the WAP Forum, a body formed in June 1997 by Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola, and Unwired Planet, which has since been joined by over a hundred other companies, including IBM, HewlettPackard, Visa, and Microsoft. According to the WAP Forum's official statistics, WAP Forum members represent over 90% of cellular-phone manufacturers worldwide. WAP will be supported by many kinds of devices, from simple cell phones similar to those available today to a new generation of "smart" phones with large touch screens and many applications of their own. That's before we even look at the range of personal digital assistants (PDAs) available, from palmtops to full miniaturized computers complete with keyboards. All will eventually get WAP capabilities, either directly from the manufacturer or as some sort of third-party upgrade. Each device has a different kind of display and different methods for user input. The job of the WAP specification is to sort out this mess and provide a common framework to allow applications to run across all these different platforms. Most of the technology developed for the Internet has been designed for desktop and larger computers and medium to high bandwidth, generally reliable data networks. Mass-market, hand-held wireless devices present a more constrained computing environment compared to desktop computers. Because of fundamental limitations of power and form-factor, mass-market hand-held devices tend to have: Less powerful CPUs Less memory (ROM and RAM) Restricted power consumption Smaller displays, and Different input devices (eg. a phone keypad).

Similarly, wireless data networks present a more constrained communication environment compared to wired networks. Because of fundamental limitations of power, available spectrum, and mobility, wireless data networks tend to have:
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 3

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

Less bandwidth More latency Less connection stability, and Less predictable availability

Mobile networks are growing in complexity and the cost of all aspects for provisioning of more value added services is increasing. In order to meet the requirements of mobile network operators, solutions must be: Interoperable terminals from different manufacturers communicate with services in the mobile network. Scaleable mobile network operators are able to scale services to customer needs. Efficient provides quality of service suited to the behavior and characteristics of the mobile network. Reliable provides a consistent and predictable platform for deploying services, and Secure enables services to be extended over potentially unprotected mobile networks while still preserving the integrity of user data, protects the devices and services from security problems such as denial of service.

Since WAP works in a mobile environment, it also has to contend with the particular problems of wireless networks: low bandwidth (9600 bps or less is commonplace), high latency (round-trip times of the order of seconds are not uncommon), and unreliability (someone may be using her WAP phone when the train goes into a tunnel or when she walks past a tall building). Everyone with a mobile phone knows about the reliability problems. These problems are why WAP is necessary. Some people may ask why they can't just have normal web pages delivered over normal TCP/IP connections, the only difference from their PCs at home being the wireless link. The trouble with the normal web technologies is that they are aimed at high bandwidth and big screens. WAP keeps the Internet model but optimizes each component for a mobile environment. It keeps track of the state of a session in case the connection is lost, provides compressed formats for the transferred data, and handles displaying of applications regardless of the input and output available. Many of the current mobile networks include advanced services that can be offered to end-users. Mobile network operators strive to provide advanced
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 4

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

services in a useable and attractive way in order to promote increased usage of the mobile network services and to decrease the turnover rate of subscribers. Standard features like call control, can be enhanced by using WAP technology to provide customized user interfaces. For example, services such as call forwarding may provide a user interface that prompts the user to make a choice between accepting a call, forwarding to another person, forwarding it to voice mail, etc. Mobile client devices have an interface that provides for user interaction with content and applications resident on a Web (or "Origin" Server) via a WAP Gateway. On the mobile device, user agents handle the interpreting of this content on behalf of the user. The WML browser is one such user agent.It is very similar to a web browser except it handles content formatted in Wireless Markup Language (WML). User agents also typically have a builtin WML Script Interpreter for running applications. These applications are written in a script language called WML Script. In addition to the programming language itself, the WML Script Interpreter also implements a set of libraries that allow the application to access certain services of the user agent. WML and WML script are designed for use in wireless, narrowband networks, and they are both binary encoded for optimum transmission efficiency. In most cases, the actual application or other content is located on a web server. This content is typically created in WML and WML Script. Figure 1.1 presents the content requests and responses ,which occur (in sequence) between a client mobile device, a WAP Gateway, and a Web (or Content) server. Each numbered step is described in the annotated list below the figure.

Fig. 1.1: WAP Network Protocol Structure Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 5

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

The WAP is similar to a Web model, and operates as follows: 1. The user presses a phone key that has an URL request assigned to it. 2. The user agent sends an URL request to a WAP Gateway using the WAP protocol. 3. The WAP gateway creates a conventional HTTP request for the specified URL and sends it to the web server. 4. The HTTP request is processed by the web server. The URL may refer to a static file or to a CGI or other script application. In the first case, the web server fetches the file. If the URL specifies a script application, the web server runs the application. 5. The web server returns the WML deck along with any HTTP headers or the WML output from the CGI or other script application. 6. The WAP gateway verifies the WML content and encodes it, as well as any HTTP headers, to binary form. The gateway then creates a WAP response containing the encoded WML and sends it to the user agent. 7. The user agent receives the WAP response. It parses the WML response and displays the first card (by default) of the WML deck to the user. The WAP specifications address mobile network characteristics and operator needs by adapting existing network technology to the special requirements of mass-market, hand-held wireless data devices and by introducing new technology, where appropriate. WAP devices are designed for, mobile phones, pagers, PDAs Devices with limited CPU, memory and battery life Devices with simple user interface Low bandwidth and high latency environments Unpredictable availability and stability

Self assessment Questions 1. _________ enables the creating of web applications for mobile devices. 2. WML uses _________ to run simple code on the client.

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 6

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

3. Which of the following is NOT a fundamental limitation wireless data network a. Less bandwidth b. Less latency c. Less connection stability d. Less predictable availability

1.4 Optimization of WAP Protocols for Wireless Web

Internet standards such as hypertext markup language (HTML), HTTP, TLS and transmission control protocol (TCP) are inefficient over mobile networks because they require large amounts of mainly text-based data to be sent over a network. This requirement for large amounts of data to be transmitted is not optimal for mobile networks because mobile networks currently are characterized by lower bandwidths then normal web networks. In addition, any protocols with large data transmission requirements must overcome the difficult challenge of intermittent coverage, another characteristic of wireless networks. WAP utilizes other Internet standards such as XML, user datagram protocol (UDP), and IP. These protocols are based on Internet standards such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), but have been optimized for the unique constraints of the wireless environment. WAP utilizes binary transmission for greater compression of data and is optimized for long latency and low bandwidth. WAP sessions cope with intermittent coverage and can operate over a wide variety of wireless transports. Thus, the constraints that WAP is able to overcome are wireless networks that have less bandwidth and less connection stability. HTML Internet standards are also not optimal for the wireless web because this standard was not designed for small screen displays and limited input options. WAP does not use HTML to display web sites, but instead uses WML and the WMLScript. WML and WMLScript make optimum use of small display screens where navigation is usually performed with one hand. Furthermore, WAP standards are scalable and can fit into the two-line text displays on the most basic devices to the full graphic screens on the latest smart phones.

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 7

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

1.5 Security Model

WAP enables a flexible security infrastructure that focuses on providing connection security between a WAP client and server. WAP can provide end-to-end security between WAP protocol endpoints. If a browser and origin server desire end-to-end security, they must communicate directly using the WAP protocols. End-to-end security may also be achieved if the WAP proxy is trusted or, for example, located at the same physically secure place as the origin server. WAP 2.0 WAP 1.x is an earlier version of the WAP standard. The most current version is WAP 2.0. The markup language defined in WAP 2.0 is XHTML MP (XHTML Mobile Profile). It is a subset of the XHTML used on the web. XHTML MP supports a mobile version of cascading style sheet called WCSS (WAP CSS). It is a subset of the CSS2 used on the web plus some WAP specific extensions. Most of the new mobile phone models released are WAP 2.0-enabled. As WAP 2.0 is backward compatible to WAP 1.x, WAP 2.0-enabled mobile devices can display both XHTML MP and WML documents. WML 1.x is an earlier technology. However, that does not mean it is of no use, since a lot of wireless devices that only supports WML 1.x are still being used. Besides, some useful features of WML are not available in XHTML MP. For example, XHTML MP does not support events, variables and client-side scripting. If you write the markup of your mobile Internet site in WML, both old and new WAP-enabled wireless devices can be used to view your mobile Internet site. The user base of your WAP application is maximized.

1.6 The WAP Toolkit Software

The WAP Toolkit software consists of WML and WML Script encoders Phone simulators on which to display content WAP application debugging support User documentation.

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 8

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

The WAP Toolkit simulates a generic WAP mobile phone (you can choose from two models), later referred to as user agent. A WAP user agent is similar to a web browser with the distinction that in the WAP environment Uniform Resources Locators (URLs) are requested is sent to a web server via a WAP Gateway. The web server (also called an "origin server" because content originates with it) contains WML and WML Script content. Having received the request for this content, the web server sends it to the WAP Gateway, which encodes it into binary form (to reduce its size). The WAP Gateway then transmits the encoded content to the requesting mobile phone. The content received by the phone is optimized for small displays. WML is based on the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and was developed by the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Forum for specifying content and the user interface for narrow and devices such as mobile phones. WML Script can be used to add client side procedural logic to WML cards and decks. The language is based on ECMA Script, but has been modified to better support low band with devices such as mobile phones. You can use WML Script along with WML to provide intelligence to the client, or you can use it as a stand-alone tool. The WAP toolkit provides tools for creating services on the WAP platform. It includes the following components: The WAP Toolkit application for Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, and Windows 98, which simulates the behavior of WML and WML script, allows you to create, edit and debug WML and WML Script services. The simulation client includes the following components: WML Script interpreter and WML Script libraries WAP phone simulations WML and WML Script encoders Compiled WML, WML Script, and WBMP editors WAP Protocol Stack, HTTP and file access modules Debugging views WAP Server Simulator for devices that require a connection to a WAP Gateway WAP Push Simulator. (Blueprint phone simulation only)

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 9

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

An installation utility and practical WML example applications and source code. You can use these samples as a starting point for creating your own services. XML library that you can use to construct valid WML documents for use by server-side components, or for general use. The library only allows you to create valid content as validated by the standard DTD for WML 1.1. User documentation in Adobe PDF format, this guide, a Developer's Guide, and a Designer's Guide.

The components of the WAP Toolkit software can be divided into three main categories discussed below: 1.6.1 Phone simulations The phone simulations are on-screen images of phones that have functional displays and keys for navigating and entering data. There are two phone simulations: a simulation of the actual 7110 phone and a Java-based Blueprint phone simulation, which has no real-world counterpart. 1.6.2 Editors The toolkit provides editors for convenience in developing WAP applications. There are four editors a WML Deck editor, a WML Script editor, a Push Message editor, and a WBMP graphics editor. The editor interface also provides an easy means to compile the textual source code into binary data for display on the phone simulation. 1.6.3 Debugging aids The Toolkit provides several tab views with in its main window. Some of these views are used for editing, while others provide information for debugging. These latter views include the history view, sessions view, and variables view. Self assessment Questions 4. WAP utilizes ________ for greater compression of data and is optimized for long latency and low bandwidth. 5. WAP can provide end-to-end security between WAP protocol endpoints (True/False). 6. The components of the WAP Toolkit software can be divided into _______ categories
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 10

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

1.7 Setting the MIME Types

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) is an Internet standard that extends the format of e-mail to support. MIME defines mechanisms for sending other kinds of information in e-mail. These include text in languages other than English using character encodings other than ASCII, and 8-bit binary content such as files containing images, sounds, movies, and computer programs. MIME is also a fundamental component of communication protocols such as HTTP, which requires that data be transmitted in the context of e-mail-like messages even though the data might not (and usually doesn't) actually have anything to do with e-mail. Mapping messages into and out of MIME format is typically done automatically by an e-mail client or by mail servers when sending or receiving Internet (SMTP/MIME) e-mail. Before creating your own WML services, make sure that your web server supports the MIME types as depicted in table 1.1. Table 1.1 MIME types for WML services
Content MIME type Extension

WML source Wireless bitmaps Compiled WML WML Script source Compiled WML Service Indication Push Message Compiled Service Indication Push Message Service Loading Push Message Compiled Service Loading Push Message Electronic Business Card (V CARD) Electronic Calendar Event (VCAL)

text/vnd.wap.wml image/vnd.wap.wbmp application/vnd.wap.wmlc

wml wbmp wmlc

text/vnd.wapscript wmls application/vnd.wap.wmlscript wmlsc atext/vnd.wap.si text /vnd.wap.sic ataexat/vnd.wap.sl text/vnd.weap.slc text/x-vcard text/x-vCalendar si sic sl slc vcf vcs

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 11

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

1.8 WAP and M-Commerce

M-commerce solutions provided vary from industry to industry. For instance, a mobile transportation service industry is provided with internet and WAP enhancement solutions, whereas a mobile shopping sector is provided with services like ordering, prices checking and delivery information. The invention and spread of mobile phone opened the doors for a new era in wireless communication. However, with the internet reaching to mobile phones through WAP and WML the mobile devices can now act as a flexible terminal for a wide range of applications. Mobile phones can now be used for e-shopping, e-ticketing, e-banking, and checking the latest news, and weather forecasts Hence it supports many industries, including banking and finance, healthcare, transportation, automotive, and media and entertainment M-commerce is the most advanced way of doing business, which expands reach and possibilities by letting to do business 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It offers specialized solutions for: Mobile banking Mobile brokerage Mobile access to corporate intranets Mobile shopping Mobile travel information and booking M-commerce services provide solutions professionals to well-versed technologies such as Java2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME), WAP/ WML/ WML Script, Palm OS all versions, SIM Application Toolkit (SAT), Microsoft .NET Mobile Web SDK, Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW), SMS, Java Card, Bluetooth, GPRS, Oracle Mobile, Cell broadcast (CB), and Mobile Station Application Execution Environment (MExE). M-commerce is committed to provide with quality, time-bound and costeffective service to the satisfaction of the customer.

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 12

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

1.9 Future of WAP

The tremendous surge of interest and development in the area of wireless data in recent times has caused worldwide operators, infrastructure and terminal manufacturers, and content developers to collaborate on an unprecedented scale, in an area notorious for the diversity of standards and protocols. The collaborative efforts of the WAP Forum have devised and continue to develop a set of protocols that provide a common environment for the development of advanced telephony services and Internet access for the wireless market. If the WAP protocols were to be as successful as transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP), the boom in mobile communications would be phenomenal. Indeed, the WAP browser should do for mobile Internet what Netscape did for the Internet. As mentioned earlier, industry players from content developers to operators can explore the vast opportunity that WAP presents. As a fixed-line technology, the Internet has proved highly successful in reaching the homes of millions worldwide. However, mobile users until now have been forced to accept relatively basic levels of functionality, over and above voice communications and are beginning to demand the industry to move from a fixed to a mobile environment, carrying the functionality of a fixed environment with it. Initially, services are expected to run over the well-established SMS bearer, which will dictate the nature and speed of early applications. Indeed, GSM currently does not offer the data rates that would allow mobile multimedia and Web browsing. With the advent of GPRS, which aimed at increasing the data rate to 115 kbps, as well as other emerging high-bandwidth bearers, the reality of access speeds equivalent or higher to that of a fixed-line scenario become ever more believable. GPRS is seen by many as the perfect partner for WAP, with its distinct time slots serving to manage data packets in a way that prevents users from being penalized for holding standard circuit-switched connections. It is expected that mobile terminal manufacturers will experience significant change as a result of WAP technology - a chance that will impact the look and feel of the hardware they produce. The main issues faced by this arm of the industry concern the size of mobile phones, power supplies, display size, usability, processing power, and the role of personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other mobile terminals.
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 13

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

With over 75 percent of the world's key handset manufacturers already involved in the WAP Forum and announcing the impending release of WAPcompatible handsets, the drive toward new and innovative devices is quickly gathering pace. The handsets themselves will contain a micro browser that will serve to interpret the byte code (generated from the WML/WMLS content) and display interactive content to the user. The services available to users will be wide-ranging in nature, as a result of the open specifications of WAP, their similarity to the established and accepted Internet model, and the simplicity of the WML/WMLS languages with which the applications will be written. Information will be available in push-and-pull functionality, with the ability for users to interact with services via both voice and data interfaces. Web browsing as experienced by the desktop user, however, is not expected to be the main driver behind WAP as a result of time and processing restraints. Real-time applications and services demand small and key pieces of information that will fuel the success of WAP in the mobile marketplace. Stock prices, news, weather, and travel are only some of the areas in which WAP will provide services for mobile users. Essentially, the WAP application strategy involves taking existing services that are common within a fixed-line environment and tailoring them to be purposeful and user-friendly in a wireless environment. Empowering the user with the ability to access a wealth of information and services from a mobile device will create a new battleground. Mobile industry players will fight to provide their customers with sophisticated, value-added services. As mobile commerce becomes a more secure and trusted channel by which consumers may conduct their financial affairs, the market for WAP will become even more lucrative. The future of WAP depends largely on whether consumers decide to use WAP devices to access the Web, and also on whether a new technology comes along that would require a different infrastructure than WAP. On the consumer side, the factors largely involve the limitations of WAP and of handheld devices: the low bandwidth, the limited input ability, and the small screens all require users to adapt from their regular Web-browsing expectations.

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 14

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

In the next few years, mobile phones will start to benefit from very high bandwidth capabilities. The 2.5G/3G systems will allow much higher capacity and data rates than can be offered by the restricted bandwidth currently available. These wireless devices will be supported by a number of emerging technologies, including GPRS, EDGE, HSCSD and UMTS: So what is the future for WAP? It has been designed to be independent of the underlying network technology. The original constraints WAP was designed for - intermittent coverage, small screens, low power consumption, wide scalability over bearers and devices, and one-handed operation - are still valid in 2.5G and 3G networks. The bottom line is that WAP is not and can never be the Web on your mobile phone. WAP is great as long as developers understand that it's what's inside the applications that matters, and the perceived value of the content to the user. The browser interface itself, while important, will always be secondary to the content. Self Assessment Questions 7. ___ is an Internet standard that extends the format of e-mail to support. 8. MIME type text/vnd.wapscript contains _______. 9. Mobile phones can now be used for e-shopping, e-ticketing, e-banking (True/False).

1.10 Summary
WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol .WAP is an application communication protocol which is used to access services and information. WAP uses the mark-up language WML. WML is used to create pages that can be displayed in a WAP browser or we can say Wireless Markup Language (WML) is the HTML of WAP browsers and is transmitted via the HTTP protocol. WAP utilizes binary transmission for greater compression of data and is optimized for long latency and low bandwidth. WAP sessions cope with intermittent coverage and can operate over a wide variety of wireless transports. WAP enables a flexible security infrastructure that focuses on providing connection security between a WAP client and server. The WAP toolkit software consists of WML and WML Script encoders,
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 15

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

Phone simulators, documentation.

WAP

application

debugging

support

and

User

1.11 Terminal questions

1. Mention the devices for which WAP is designed.

2. Why HTTP, TLS and transmission control protocol (TCP) are inefficient
over mobile networks. 3. What are the components of WAP simulation toolkit?

1.12 Answers
Self assessment Questions 1. WAP 2. WML Script 3. b. less Latency 4. Binary data 5. True 6. Three 7. MIME 8. WML Script source 9. True Terminal Questions 1. The devices for which WAP is designed are mobile phones, pagers, PDAs Devices with limited CPU, memory and battery life Devices with simple user interface Low bandwidth and high latency environments Unpredictable availability and stability 2. HSPTTP, TLS and transmission control protocol (TCP) are inefficient over mobile networks because they require large amounts of mainly text-based data to be sent over a network. (Refer section 1.4).

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 16

WML and WAP Programming Theory

Unit 1

3. WAP Simulation Toolkit consists of WML Script interpreter and WML Script libraries. WAP phone simulations. WML and WML Script encoders Compiled. WML, WML Script, and WBMP editors. WAP Protocol Stack, HTTP and file access modules. Debugging views. WAP Server Simulator for devices that require a connection to a WAP Gateway. WAP Push Simulator. (Blueprint phone simulation only).

Sikkim Manipal University

Page No. 17