Tackle Device Fragmentation with NetBeans and the NetBeans Mobility Pack

ince its inception, "write once, run anywhere!" has been the mantra and rallying cry for many architects and software engineers trying to convince their enterprises to move to or stay with Java. The phrase was particularly useful when talking about building software applications for mobile and wireless devices.

If you are involved in J2ME development, the write once, run anywhere or "WORA" battle cry may have lacked some luster in recent years. Sure it sounds good and logically makes sense. Java was extremely successful in assisting developers write software applications that run on a number of operating systems (Windows, Unix, Linux, Mac OS, etc.). It would seem to follow that Java is also suited to help support application development on the multitudes of cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other consumer electronic and embedded devices. Unfortunately, it turns out the diversity of devices is too much for J2ME and perhaps any software platform to handle. If you have tried to write an application that runs on a couple of types of cell phones (let alone trying to cover the millions of J2ME-enabled phones or other electronic devices) you are probably dealing with this problem. It has a name and it is called device fragmentation.