Page 25 - DCAP512_WAP_AND_WML

Unit 2: Basic of a Good WAP Application

Self Assessment Notes

Fill in the blanks:
1. ………………………. is believed to be first WAP micro browser that deals with HTML and
WAP along with WML script, Post Office Protocol (POP3).
2. WAP micro browsers are small software that displays information written in a special
mark-up language called ………………………. on the internet.
3. The WAP micro browsers set up the ………………………. networks and gets content that
are written in XHTML language.

4. WAP content (WML and WML Script) is converted into a ………………………. binary form
for transmission over the air.
5. ………………………. Browser emerged with its Small Screen Rendering technology.
6. WML is used to create ………………………. that can be displayed in a WAP browser.
7. User installable WAP browsers are the browsers that are not provided with the
………………………. operating system.
8. WAP micro browsers are optimized to display internet content most effectively on small
display screen with the help of low speed ……………………….

2.3 Application Design Process

Device Dependency

Today all statements toward designing WAP applications are extremely device dependent, e.g.
different display sizes and availability of softkeys. Therefore, a simple and well-structured
design is the best strategy for minimizing the problem of supporting different browsers as well
as phones and other WAP devices.

Simplicity

When it comes to designing any kind of electronic service, simplicity is the key to gaining
acceptance and appreciation from the users. Simplicity is especially important in the context of
use in a mobile environment since the user often needs to concentrate on other things besides
using the terminal. Two examples for this are:
 Fully mobile, such as walking through the streets

 Semi mobile, such as sitting in a train
Thus restrictions apply due to the factors device, application and context. Some implications of
this are the following:
 It should be unnecessary to remember codes, numbers, or other information from one
part of the application to another.
 In situations of choice the users should be asked to make simple decisions rather than
complex ones. Divide the problem if possible.
Good utilization of the extremely limited display space is important. Therefore avoid unnecessary
blank space.
The user interface should be as simple as possible, but not simpler. Unnecessary information and
functionality should be removed. In conventional office applications one rule of thumb says that
20% of the functionality is used 80% of the time. To simplify, we could say that in mobile applications
it is often advisable to cut out this 80% in order to reduce complexity and increase usability.

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