The method of getting XHTML Basic programs on-line, or “published”, is the same as the method used for HTML programs. The only difference is that you are sending your XHTML Basic program to a server on the internet that handles WAP programs including XHTML Basic.
Basically, you write your XHTML Basic programs on a PC using an SDK or a word processor. Then, you simulate your program, still on your PC, using either the simulator included in an SDK, or a stand alone simulator. Then, you should test your program. If possible, using several different WAP devices and browsers, to make sure the documents look acceptable, at least on the most commonly used browsers. This can be done in certain SDKs or in emulators that are available.
The next step is to send your program from your PC to a computer on the internet. To do this, you use a file transfer program, such as WS_FTP, to send your program from your PC to a server on the internet on which you have opened up a WAP account, or to a server that you already have an HTML account which also handles WAP programs.
You must send all code files, as well as any image files that your documents reference. Currently all WAP browsers recognize WBMP format for images since this is part of the WAP standard. Some WAP browsers also recognize GIF and JPG formats, but usually mobile phones only accept WBMP format images.
Also, if you use any cgi-bin programs or scripts (C++, Perl, Java) they must be sent up from your PC to the server, specifically to the cgi-bin folder on the server. The cgi-bin folder is usually on the same directory level with your www folder on the server. Care must be taken if using a cgi-bin program that the permissions on the files on the server are properly set. (Usually your server provider can assist you with the proper settings.)
A WAP server is a software program that resides on a computer on the Internet that acts as a WAP gateway and a WAP content server. This is the program that handles requests from wireless devices for WAP documents that reside on that server.
There are two ways to get a WAP server that will handle requests for WAP documents (written in WML or XHTML). One way is to use a server that is specifically designed for WAP, such as the Nokia WAP Server. Another way is to modify an HTTP server, such as the Apache HTTP server, to handle requests for WAP documents.
Figure 1.15 shows a WAP device requesting data through the Internet to a WAP Server. First, the WAP use selects content (a document) on their handset that they desire to receive. This creates a request message that is sent to the IP address of the WAP server. The WAP server processes this request and returns the requested document to the IP address assigned to the WAP device. When the WAP device receives the data (document), it can display the document on the screen.
Microbrowsers are software applications that run on wireless devices that are used to display pages or cards, such as those documents written in WML or XHTML. Various microbrowsers are available for different types of devices. For instance, Openwave’s Mobile Browser is similar to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, except that the Mobile Browser runs on a wireless device, whereas Internet Explorer runs on a desktop computer. Devices that operate microbrowsers include Nokia 7110 and Pocket PC.
