[lorennorman]

Hi, i'm a seasoned J2ME developer starting development on a Blackberry.

I wanted to find out what the difference between actually coding for the BB from scratch, using rim libraries and such, and coding just generic MIDP 1.0 and using the JDE tool to convert the .jar to a .cod file was?

I will be making use of Bluetooth as well as HTTP requests, and i need heavy encryption between everything. Anyone know if there is a functional difference?

Thank you,
Loren

[eradis]

You can actually use a pure MIDP application directly on the BlackBerry.
You can also use the RIM libs in that MIDP application. The only thing you can't do is mix the UI elements (if you are using MIDP UI elements you can't use RIM UI elements and vice versa).

Hope that helps.

[lorennorman]

So,
- i can write a straight up MIDP app, with MIDP UI elements, compile as jar and port to cod
- i can write a MIDP app, using only RIM libraries for UI mangement, compile as jar, and port to cod
- or i can write either of these and compile as cod in the first place
...and results should all be the same, or at least similar?

No thoughts on Bluetooth, HTTP, or encryption? The app is way basic, aside from some simple interactions using those fringe things...

[eradis]

So,
- i can write a straight up MIDP app, with MIDP UI elements, compile as jar and port to cod
- i can write a MIDP app, using only RIM libraries for UI mangement, compile as jar, and port to cod
- or i can write either of these and compile as cod in the first place
...and results should all be the same, or at least similar?

No thoughts on Bluetooth, HTTP, or encryption? The app is way basic, aside from some simple interactions using those fringe things...

1. Yes - Usually works straight out of the box (take the jar/jad and directly compile to cod). Sometimes there are some porting issues because of the thumbwheel etc.
2. Yes - startApp() is like main() and you just need a handle to the UiApplication(its sort of like Display) to use the RIM UI elements.
3. Actually everything is first compiled into a jar then into a cod (even if you are using RIM's app model).

Bluetooth - you will need to use RIM's net.rim.device.api.bluetooth package.
HTTP - All MIDP compliant device need to support HTTP (minimum), RIM uses the javax.microedition.io (CLDC).
RIM has their own crypto packages - RIM Crypto Packages (see javadocs)

All you need to do is import the correct packages/classes. Again as I mentioned the only thing you can't do is mix UI elements. If you look at the javadocs there are 2 Graphics classes, 2 Font classes etc. (i.e. one MIDP - javax.microedition.lcdui.Graphics, one RIM - net.rim.device.api.ui.Graphics)
I would suggest reading through the BlackBerry App. Dev. Guides Vol 1 & 2.