Using javascript in Mobile web application (WAP

Question

Hi,

I need to use javascript in a form for mobile web application. Please need some information about it, related to browser compatibility as well as way to use javascript in mobile web applications (syntax).

Thanks & Regards,

Khushi

Answer 1

It's a nightmare. It's like working with web-browsers in the 90's but with the manager expectations of tomorrow.

I strongly recommend you determine your target platforms in terms of regions, software, and actual hardware since the market is much more fragmented than the web and a large number of mobile devices have issues with CSS, JS and even XHTML ranging from painful to not-on-this-platform.

The good news is that android and iphone are pushing the field rapidly. The bad news is that makes a lot of the sources you'll google badly out-of-date.

Some references:

• http://www.w3.org/TR/mobileOK-basic10-tests/#test_objects_or_script
• http://mobiforge.com/developing/story/getting-started-with-mobile-ajax
• http://mobiforge.com/

Especially that last one :)

Answer 2

Totally agree with annakata,

It is a minefield trying to work with JavaScript on a mobile phone in fact we(I work for a mobile agency) tend to recommend to clients that you don't use JavaScript in your mobile pages.

If you have to use JavaScript then look into

• WURLF - wurfl.sourceforge.net
• MobiForge - http://mobiforge.com/
• MobileElements - http://www.mobileelements.com/

And I would recommend creating an iPhone only site that has all the cool functionality and then a plain site for everyone else so that it works well for them.

Also remember you can use device anywhere for testing on multiple phones as well

Answer 3

I would recommend you to use new framework for mobile web applications Sencha http://www.sencha.com/

This framework supports wide range of mobile platforms like Adroid, iPhone and others...

Good luck, Yevgeniy V. Softjourn Inc. Software developer.