Following is a list of some of the techniques and tools that can be used to
deploy applications to devices. The list is by no means complete and
does not go into any detail but is intended to provide an introduction to some
of the ways a Java application can be deployed.
- Device specific tools
- Most devices ship with tools that allow applications to be copied across
and installed. For instance:
- ActiveSync for PocketPC
- Hotsync for Palm
- Development tools
- Many development environments (IDEs) like WSDD (IBM WebSphere Studio
Device Developer) provide tools that allow deployment of applications onto a
device and debugging of the application from the development
environment.
- OSGi related management
- OSGi or Open Services Gateway Initiative defines define a platform for the
packaging of and dynamic delivery of Java software services to networked
devices. This is achieved via a consistent, component-based,
architecture for the development and delivery of Java software components
known as bundles and services. Both WebSphere MQ Everyplace components
and applications can be turned into OSGi bundles and services for use in an
OSGi environment. The bundles are delivered from a bundle server There
are a number of products that provide bundle servers together with the client
code to handle the installation and lifecycle of bundles. Depending on
implementation the bundles can be downloaded on demand, and updated
automatically when a new version is available. IBM WebSphere Studio
Device Developer ships with SMF (service management framework), which assists
in the creation and testing of bundles together with a bundle server.
- JNLP
- JNLP or Java Network Launching Protocol and API, is an emerging standard,
for use in packaging and deploying Java applications. It is designed to
automate the deployment, via the web, for applications written to the J2SE
platform.
- Device management products
- There are a number of products on the market that can be used for
large-scale deployment of software. One example is Tivoli(R)
Configuration Manager from IBM.
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