Page 46 - DCAP512_WAP_AND_WML

WAP & WML Sarabjit Kumar, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 4: Introduction to WML

CONTENTS

Objectives
Introduction
4.1 What is WML?
4.2 Getting Started with WML
4.2.1 WAP and WEB

4.3 Understanding WML Uses
4.4 Summary
4.5 Keyword

4.6 Review Questions
4.7 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
 Scan WML (Wireless Markup Language)
 Describe Uses of WML

Introduction

The Wireless Markup Language (WML) is a simple markup language that was designed
exclusively for the purpose of creating applications to be sent over wireless networks to WAP -
enabled mobile devices. WML is an open standard and was developed by the WAP forum and
the WML specification forms a part of the broader WAP specification. WML is an application of
XML. WML has some distinct differences from other markup languages, for instance HTML.

WML looks quite like HTML, but there is a significant difference between them. HTML is
mainly used for creating documents, which in turn are being designed to display information.
But WML is being used for creating applications, which are designed for user interaction.
There is one more important difference. Basically Web contents are being accessed from powerful
desktop computing systems that have bigger displays and fast, cheap, reliable wired network
connections. The web browser is a sophisticated software package that offers a number of
flexible and convenient features for the viewers. But wireless network connections are unreliable,
slow and expensive and the micro browsers that are fitted in WAP-enabled mobile devices have
very small displays, which in a way makes receiving and sending information inconvenient.

Considering the limitations of mobile devices and the wireless networks, WML has to be designed
in such a way that it offsets many of those limitations.

Notes Also mobile communication, being expensive, the mobile users would visit sites
seeking specific pieces of information and like to get them very quickly. WML meets these
requirements quite successfully and brings a high degree of interaction with users.

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